MERUGU MOJES Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS batch of Writ Petitions arises out of orders of suspension passed by respondent No.3, whereby he has suspended the fair price shop authorizations of the petitioners, pending enquiry.

(2.) I have heard Mr.Niranjan Tenepalli, learned Counsel for the petitioners, and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Civil Supplies (AP) representing the respondents.

(3.) A perusal of the records shows that a scam pertaining to creation of bogus ration cards, by linking them with fake EIDs and UIDs, and thereby, drawing excess quota of ration from the Government with a view to make unjust enrichment by the dealers, has been detected. Shockingly, the Deputy Tahsildar viz., David Raju and a Village Revenue Officer viz., Shyam, allegedly, collaborated and conspired with the petitioners by accepting illegal gratification from them. Based on a complaint given by one Kothapalli Ravi Sankar, Tahsildar, Gudivada, the Sub -Divisional Police Officer, Gudivada, has arrested all the accused including the petitioners and filed a remand report before the Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate, Gudivada. It is in this background that the fair price shop authorizations of the petitioners have been suspended by respondent No.3 vide the impugned orders.