WP/35590/2025 of B Lakshmi DEVI Vs THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH on 23 March 2026

1. B LAKSHMI DEVI, W 40 YEARS, PERM NO.1182033,

PRODDATUR TO DISTRIET,516360.

1. THE STATE OF SEERETARY TO G SEERETARIAT DISTRICT,522237.

2. THE DISTRICT CO

3. THE REVENUE DIVISION, Y.S.R D

4. THE TAHSILDAR, P Petition under Articl circumstances stated in pleased to issue an app constitution of India mor declaring the action proceedings and issuing E HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRAD AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) THE TWENTY FOURTH DAY OF MAR O THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT ABLE SRI JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMAL RIT PETITION NO: 35590/2025 W/O. CHANDRA SEKHAR REDDY, MANENT F.P SHOP DEALER O DOOR NO. 5/1281, MAHEND WN, PRODDATUR MANDAL, Y. AND F ANDHRA PRADESH, BY ITS GOVERNMENT, CIVIL SUPPLIES D BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, LLECTOR, Y.S.R DISTRICT, KADAP DIVISIONAL OFFICER, JAMM DISTRICT,516434. PRODDATUR MANDAL, Y.S.R DIST ...RES le 226 of the Constitution of India pra the affidavit filed therewith, the High propriate Writ, Order or direction unde re particularly one in the nature of Wr of the respondents in initiating g the proceedings in Ref. No. A3/19 DESH

RCH LAPATI AGED ABOUT OF F.P SHOP DRA NAGAR, S.R KADAPA ...PETITIONER S PRINEIPAL DEPARTMENT, GUNTUR A, 516001. MALAMADUGU RICTS 16360. SPONDENT(S): aying that in the h Court may be er Article 226 of rit of Mandamus the disciplinary 937/2025, dated

28.11.2025 issued by the respondent No.3 as illegal arbitrary and violation of principles of natural justice and violative of fundamental rights guaranteed to me and consequently set aside the proceedings in Ref. No. A3/1937/2025, dated 28.11.2025 issued by the respondent No.3 and drop all further proceedings against me and reinstate me as the fair price shop and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2025 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 direct the respondent No.3 to continue me as fair price shop dealer by suspending the proceedings in Ref. No. A3/1937/2025, dated 28.11.2025 issued by the respondent No.3, pending disposal of the above Writ Petition and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2026 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 implead the petitioner as Party Respondent No.5 in WP No.35590 of 2025 and pass IA NO: 2 OF 2026 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 Vacate the Interim Order Dt.20.12.2025 passed in IA No.1 of 2025 In WP No.35590 of 2025 by dismissing the writ petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. PAPUDIPPU SASHIDAR REDDY Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR CIVIL SUPPLIES

The Court made the following order: Challenging the proceedings in Ref.No.A3/1937/2025 dated 28.11.2025 issued by respondent No.3-Revenue Divisional Officer suspending the petitioner’s authorization in respect of Fair Price Shop bearing No.1182033 situated in Proddatur Town & Mandal, YSR Kadapa District, the present Writ Petition is filed.

2. Heard Sri P.Sashidhar, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri Vineeth Appasani, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies appearing for the respondents.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner, while reiterating the contents of the writ affidavit, would contend that the authorities, alleging variations such as not maintaining timings properly, issuing essential commodities with less weight, not displaying the price and stock board at the business premises and collecting higher amounts than government prescribed rates from the cardholders on sugar, which were found during inspection of the Fair Price shop, issued show cause notice calling for explanation, for which the petitioner submitted a detailed explanation, however, the authorities, without considering the said explanation, in a mechanical way, suspended the authorization of the petitioner without giving reasons, therefore, the impugned suspension order is liable to be set aside. Accordingly, prayed to allow the writ petition.

4. Sri Appasani Vineeth, learned Assistant Government Pleader, justified the impugned order of suspension contending that as the authorities found certain irregularities, suspended the F.P shop authorization of the petitioner, pending final enquiry, after following the procedure contemplated under law. He would further contend that the writ petition being meritless deserves dismissal. Accordingly, prayed to dismiss the writ petition.

5. Perused the material available on record and considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties.

6. The petitioner’s FP shop dealership authorization was suspended pending enquiry.

7. Clause 8(4)(2) of the Andhra Pradesh Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2018 mandates that the appointing authority shall dispose the disciplinary case filed against the fair price shop dealers as early as possible, preferably within a period of three (3) months from the date of filing, keeping in view of the convenience of the cardholders and for smooth functioning of Targeted Public Distribution System.

8. It is fairly conceded by the learned Assistant Government Pleader that enquiry had not been completed so far.

9. In view of the above, without going into the merits of the matter, the writ petition can be disposed of with the following direction:

“The respondent authorities concerned shall conclude the enquiry within a period of three (03) months from the date of receipt of copy of this order. Else, the impugned suspension proceedings dated 28.11.2025 issued by respondent No.3 vide Ref.No.A3/1937/2025 shall stand revoked.”

10. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

As a sequel thereto, interlocutory applications pending, if any in the Writ Petition, shall also stand closed.

____________________________ JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI

24.03.2026 MP

THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI

WRIT PETITION NO.35590 of 2025 24.03.2026

MP