S Arundhathi Vs the State of Andhra Pradesh

S ARUNDHATHI, D/O S. VENKATA RAJESWAR REDDY, 49 YEARS, SHOP NO. 1306016, OCCUPATION FAIR PRICE SHOP DEALER, PONNAKAL VILLAGE, GUDUR MANDAL, KURNOOL DISTRICT.

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...PETITIONER

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AND

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THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI.

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THE COLLECTOR, - (CS)/JOINT COLLECTOR AND ADDITIONAL DISTRICT MAGISTRATE, KURNOOL, KURNOOL DISTRICT.

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THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, KURNOOL, KURNOOL DISTRICT.

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THE TAHSILDAR, GUDUR MANDAL, KURNOOL DISTRICT.

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...RESPONDENT(S):

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Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to is due an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction more pajlicularly one in the nature of Writ of Certiorari call for the records in respect of the orders passed by the 3rd respondents in Proceedings Rc.DT(LR)1464/2024 dated 12.05.2025, in cancelling the Fair Price Shop Authorization of the petitioner in Shop No. 1306016, Ponnakal Village, Gudur Mandal, Kurnool District and quash the same as illegal, improper, unjust arbitrary, colorable exercise of power, without considering the written explanation, without following the

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procedure and contrary to Andhra Pradesh State Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) order, 2018 and further direct the respondents to permit the petitioner to distribute the essential commodities to the card holders and pass

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IA NO: 1 OF 2026

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Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to stay the Proceedings in Rc.DT(LR)1464/2024 dated 12.05.2025 issued by the 3rd respondent duly permitting the petitioner to distribute the commodities to the card holders in respect of the Fair Price qhop No. No.1306016, Ponnakal Village, Gudur Mandal, kurnool District pending disposal of the writ petition and pass

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Counsel for the Petitioner:

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1.MAHADEVA KANTHRIGALA

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Counsel for the Respondent(S):

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1.GP FOR CIVIL SUPPLIES

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The Court made the following:

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::ORDER ::

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Assailing the proceedings issued by respondent No.3 vide Rc.DT(LR) 1464/2024, dated 29.06.2026 (Ex.P10), the above writ petition was filed.

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Heard Sri K. Mahadeva, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Sri Vineeth Appasani, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies, appeared for the respondents.

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The petitioner was appointed as a Fair Price Shop dealer in respect of F.P.Shop bearing No.1306016 of Ponnakal Village, Gudur Mandal, Kurnool District. Respondent No.4 submitted a report dated 09.12.2024 to Respondent No.3, pointing out the variations in the stock. A show-cause notice dated 10.12.2024 was issued to the petitioner. Thereafter, the authorisation of the petitioner was suspended, pending inquiry vide proceedings dated 10.12.2024. The petitioner filed an appeal before Respondent No.2. Respondent No.2, by order dated 08.04.2025, remanded the case to

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Respondent No.3. Thereafter, a notice dated 26.04.2025 was issued to the petitioner directing him/her to attend the personal hearing on 26.04.2025. The petitioner attended the personal hearing. However, the petitioner failed to submit any explanation. The authorisation of the petitioner was cancelled vide proceedings dated 12.05.2025. The petitioner filed W.P.No.14536 of 2025. The said writ petition was allowed on 18.12.2025, and the proceedings dated 12.05.2025 were set aside, and the matter was remitted to respondent No.3 to conduct a fresh inquiry. Thereafter, a notice was issued to the petitioner, directing the petitioner to attend the inquiry on 25.04.2026 & 06.06.2026.

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Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that without examining the Mobile Dispensing Unit Operator, the authority concluded the inquiry. He would also submit that respondent No.3 failed to adhere to the circular vide CCS.Ref.No.PDS.II(1)/ 307/2025, dated 05.12.2025.

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Sri Vineeth Appasani, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies, would fairly submit that respondents failed to adhere to the circular vide CCS.Ref.No.PDS.II(1)/ 307/2025, dated 05.12.2025 and the order in W.A.No.122 of 2025.

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Given the facts and circumstances of the case, keeping the writ petition pending, inviting a counter-affidavit, will not serve any purpose. Hence, the Writ Petition is allowed, with the following directions:

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(i) The proceedings issued by respondent No.3 vide Rc.DT(LR) 1464/2024, dated 29.06.2026 (Ex.P10) are hereby suspended. The matter is remitted to respondent No.3.

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(ii) Learned respondent No.3 shall adhere to the circular vide CCS.Ref.No.PDS.II(1)/ 307/2025, dated 05.12.2025, as amended from time to time.

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(iii) Learned respondent No.3 shall restore the authorisation of the petitioner and allow the petitioner to supply commodities to the cardholders.

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(iv) However, this order will not preclude the respondent No.3 from proceeding with the inquiry in accordance with law.

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No order as to costs.

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As a sequel, pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed.