TANNIRU KISHORE Vs. STATE OF A.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a petition filed purportedly in public interest highlighting the inaction on the part of the official respondents in not taking action against M/s. Balaji Warehousing Company Pvt.Ltd./respondent No.10 herein (in short, 'BWC'), who is alleged to have made an effort to divert 43,500 kgs of PDS rice, meant for supply through Public Distribution System, for selling the same illegally in the open market.

(2.) Briefly stated, the material facts are that the BWC owns and operates 3 godowns, which are also used by the A.P. State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited/respondent No.3 herein to store its PDS rice. It is stated that, on 29/3/2021, the staff of the Warehouse informed the officials of the Central Warehousing Corporation/respondent No.4 (in short, 'CWC') that the stock position of the PDS rice of respondent No.3 was nil and the said respondent No.3 did not see the need for engaging the warehousing godowns to stock PDS rice any further. Upon receipt of the said information from the officers of the Warehousing, the CWC de-hired the said godown w.e.f. 30/3/2021.

(3.) It is stated that, based upon some information, the officials of the Vigilance Wing of the Civil Supplies Department as also the respondent No.3 raided the said godown on 30/3/2021 in the presence of 5 Panchas wherein it was found that 43,500 Kgs of PDS rice was sought to be recycled for sale in the open market. The PDS rice was stated to be loaded in a lorry after transferring the same from jute gunny bags to plastic bags. It is stated that the lorry along with stocks were confiscated.