R Jansi Lakshmi Bai Vs the State of Ap

G SURESH SINGH, S/O LATE GANESH SINGH, RESIDING AT BHAVANIS, MAFATLAL FAMILY SHOP, NO. 10, BOSE BAZAAR STREET, HOSUR, KRISHNAGIRI DISTRICT-635109, TAMIL NADU STATE.

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...PETITIONER

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AND

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THE STATE OF AP, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, A.P. SECRETARIAT BUILDING, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, A.P.

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THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAM (TTD), TIRUPATI, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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THE JOINT EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAM (TTD), TIRUMALA, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAM (TTD), TIRUMALA, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER TEMPLE, TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAM (TTD), TIRUMALA, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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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

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pleased topleased to issue a writ, order, or direction more particularly one in the nature of a writ of mandamus declaring the action of the Respondents Nos. 2 to 5 to re-allot a fresh date for performance of MELCHAT VASTRAM SEVA to the Petitioner, under Arjitham Challan No. 1089294 dated 13.12.2007, within a stipulated time to be fixed by this Honble Court and Pass consequential orders as this Honble Court deems fit and thus render justice, and pass

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IA NO: 1 OF 2025

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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 pleased to issue an interim order or direction, directing the respondents 2 to 5, to allow the petitioner for “Melchat Vastaram Seva‟‟, pending the disposal of the writ petition, and pass

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WRIT PETITION NO: 36430/2025

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Between:

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R JANSI LAKSHMI BAI, W/O. LATE G. RAJENDRA SINGH, AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS, OCC HOUSEWIFE, R/O. D.NO. 10 B, BOSE BAZAAR STREET, HOSUR, KRISHNAGIRI, TAMIL NADU-635109.

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MR. ARJUN SINGH,, S/O. LATE RAJENDRA SINGH, AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS, OCC PRIVATE SERVICE, R/O. D.NO. 10 B, BOSE BAZAAR STREET, HOSUR, KRISHNAGIRI, TAMIL NADU-635109.

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...PETITIONER(S)

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AND

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THE STATE OF AP, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, A.P. SECRETARIAT BUILDING, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, A.P.

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THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAM (TTD), TIRUPATI, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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THE JOINT EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAM (TTD), TIRUMALA, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TIRUMALA

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TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAM (TTD), TIRUMALA, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER TEMPLE, TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAM (TFD), TIRUMALA, ANDHRA PRADESH.

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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 topleased to issue a writ, order, or direction more particularly one in the nature of a writ of mandamus declaring the action of the Respondents Nos. 2 to 5 to re-allot a fresh date for performance of MELCHAT VASTRAM SEVA to the Petitioner, under Arjitham Challan No. 1089305 dated 13.12.2007, within a stipulated time to be fixed by this Honourable Court and Pass consequential orders as this Honourable Court deems fit and thus render justice, and pass

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IA NO: 1 OF 2025

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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 pleased to issue an interim order or direction, directing the respondents 2 to 5, to allow the petitioners for “Melchat Vastram Seva”, pending the disposal of the writ petition, and pass

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Counsel for the Petitioner(S):

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1.MALLIKARJUNA REDDY Y

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Counsel for the Respondent(S):

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1.GP FOR ENDOWMENTS

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The Court made the following:

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THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE TARLADA RAJASEKHAR RAO WRIT PETITION Nos.36329 and 36430 OF 2025

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COMMON ORDER:

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Since the petitioners have a common grievance and the relief sought in both writ petitions is identical, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of the writ petitions by way of a common order.

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In brief, these writ petitions have been filed seeking a direction to respondent Nos.2 to 5 to re-allot a fresh date for performance of „Melchat Vastram Seva‟ at Sri Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Tirumala.

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Heard Sri Y.Mallikarjuna Reddy, learned counsel for petitioners and Sri Sai Charan Chodisetty, learned counsel, representing Ms.B.Amrutha, learned Standing Counsel for respondent Nos.2 to 5.

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The petitioners booked the sacred „Melchat Vastram Seva‟ at Sri Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Tirumala, under Arjitham Challan Nos.1089294 and 1089305, both dated 13.12.2007. The Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (for short, the „T.T.D.‟) allotted the said seva to be performed on 16.10.2020 in the temple sanctum sanctorum area along with petitioners‟ family members. Thereafter, the 2^nd respondent cancelled the seva due to the unforeseen Covid-19 pandemic. Subsequently, the petitioners, along with several other similarly placed devotees, submitted requests to re-allot the seva to some other date. However, the T.T.D. has not considered their requests.

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Thereafter, some devotees filed W.P.Nos.29751, 31207 of 2021 and W.P.Nos.4359 and 6015 of 2022. A learned Single Judge of this Court allowed the writ petitions by a common order dated 07.09.2022 holding that doctrine of legitimate expectation comes into play and the petitioners, who had purchased the tickets and got their slots booked, are entitled to participate in the seva after the sevas are resumed. Accordingly, a direction was given to the T.T.D. to permit them to participate in the seva on future dates by allotting appropriate slots.

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Aggrieved by the common order dated 07.09.2022, the T.T.D. preferred intra-Court appeals vide W.A.Nos.1078 of 2022 and 299, 300 and 301 of 2023. Learned Division Bench, of which I am a member, disposed of the appeals by a common order dated 19.10.2023, modifying the order and granting liberty to petitioners either to seek a refund of the money paid by them to the T.T.D. or to avail the other option of Break Darshan.

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Relying on the writ appeal order, petitioners have filed the present writ petitions.

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Learned counsel for petitioners submits that it would suffice to direct the 2^nd respondent to provide a Break Darshan to the petitioners.

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Sri Sai Charan Chodisetty, learned counsel, submits that writ petitions may be disposed of in terms of judgment dated 19.10.2023 passed in W.A.Nos.1078 of 2022 and 299, 300 and 301 of 2023 and that the petitioners

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may be permitted to file representations to the 2^nd respondent and the same will be considered by the 2^nd respondent.

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Therefore, these Writ Petitions are disposed of in terms of common judgment dated 19.10.2023 passed in W.A.Nos.1078 of 2022 and 299, 300 and 301 of 2023 and the petitioners are permitted to submit representations to the 2^nd respondent. The 2^nd respondent is directed to consider the same at the earliest possible time. Further, respondents are directed not to harass the petitioners. There shall be no order as to costs.

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

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__________________________________ JUSTICE TARLADA RAJASEKHAR RAO

Date: 30.12.2025

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