Kopanathi Subrahmanyam, v. The State of Andhra Pradesh
Case brief
What is this about?
Release of seized sand-dredging boats; conditional release on deposit of Rs.1,50,000 per boat; unauthorized sand excavation; mechanical dredging prohibited; APMMC Rules 1966 procedure; FIR No. 129 of 2026; Godavari river; Kovvur; East Godavari; Eluru district; Polavaram Mandal; Writ of Mandamus; Article 226; Articles 14, 21, 19(1)(g); principles of natural justice; Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai v. State of Gujarat AIR 2003 SC 638; G.O.Ms.No.100 dated 26.06.2025; W.P.(PIL) No. 8 of 2024; Section 151 CPC interim application IA No. 1 of 2026; livelihood of boat owner; undertaking against unauthorized dredging; District Mines and Geology Officer Rajamahendravaram; Tahsildar Kovvur; Station House Officer Kovvur Town; Irrigation Conservancy Assistant; Andhra Pradesh High Court at Amaravati; Justice Venkateswarlu Nimmagadda; writ petition disposed; no order as to costs.
What did the court decide?
Release of the three seized dredging boats to the petitioner upon deposit of Rs.1,50,000/- per boat in favour of the 5th respondent, the deposit being subject to the outcome of proceedings initiated or contemplated against the petitioner, together with an undertaking not to engage in unauthorized dredging pending further investigation; no order as to costs.