WP/30172/2026 of Akiri Sunitha, Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh on 13 October 2026

ORDER:-

This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of the India seeking the following reliefs:- “to issue a Writ, Order or Direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of respondents in seizing the Tipper Lorries bearing No. AP 39 TY 0143 and AP 39 TT 9154 of the petitioners without following any procedure under statutes as illegal, arbitrary and violative of the procedure contemplated under the A.P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 and provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957., and the rules made there under apart from being violation of Article 14, 19(1)(g) and 300-A of Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to release the vehicles of the petitioners from their custody and pass such other order or orders….”

2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology appearing for the respondents.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners’ vehicles were seized by the 3rd respondent without authority of law and in violation of the provisions of Sub-Rule (3)(ii) of Rule 26 of the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966. He further submits that a direction may be given to the respondent authorities to pass appropriate orders for the release of the vehicles, and he relies on the decision of this Court passed in W.P.No.1570 of 2026 dated 20.01.2026.

4. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology appearing for the respondents did not refute the submission made by the learned counsel for the petitioners since the issue involved in this writ petition is squarely covered by an earlier decision of this Court.

5. It is appropriate to extract the relevant Sub-Rule (3)(ii) of Rule 26 of the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966:- “For the sub-rule 3(ii) of Rule 26 of the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966: If no valid document or proof of payment of seigniorage fee and other applicable levies under the Act and rules is produced for the mineral found in possession, the person may be liable to pay the price of such mineral as determined by the authorized officer, in addition to Seigniorage Fee, DMF, and MERIT amounts.”

6. Further, the Hon’ble Division Bench of this Court in Naganath Vs. State of A.P.1, interpreted the above quoted Rule and categorically held at Para No.7 as under: “........... On a reading of the above Rule, there is nothing to indicate, the vehicle cannot be released, unless the penalty and 5 seigniorage fee is paid. All that the rule states is that the penalty equal to market value of the mineral seized along with seigniorage fee prevalent at that time can be ordered to be paid at the time of interception of the vehicle, if driver or person-incharge of the vehicle fails to produce a valid permit. But, nowhere the Rule postulates that the vehicle cannot be released, unless the same is paid.”

1 WA No.4 of 2021

7. In addition, the Hon’ble Supreme Court, in the case of Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai Vs. State of Gurajat2, in its expression held that merely keeping vehicles would not serve any fruitful purpose.

8. Considering the submissions made by learned counsel on both sides and keeping in view the earlier orders passed by this Court, this Court is inclined to dispose of the Writ Petition at the stage of admission, with the consent of both parties, with the following directions: i) The 2nd respondent is directed to pass appropriate orders in terms of Sub-Rule (3)(ii) of Rule 26 of the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 and collect the due seigniorage fee and penalty as per law; ii) After levy of penalty and on payment of such penalty, the petitioners shall produce the receipt of such payment and ownership documents of the vehicles to the satisfaction of the 3rd respondent. iii) In such an event, the 3rd respondent is hereby directed to release the seized vehicles of the petitioners i.e., Tipper Lorry bearing Nos. AP 39 TY 0143 and AP 39 TT 9154. There shall be no order as to costs.

2 AIR 2003 SC 638

As a sequel miscellaneous application, pending, if any, shall also stand closed. ________________________________

VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA, J Date:14.10.2026 NOTE:C.C. by Tomorrow (B/o) TPS/BSP

THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA

WRIT PETITION NO: 30172 OF 2026

Date:14.10.2026 NOTE:C.C. by Tomorrow (B/o) TPS/BSP