Sri K Srikanth v. the State of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh HC14 Jul 2026WP/18241/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Withholding of contractor dues; finalized bills unreleased due to paucity of funds; Nellore Municipal Corporation; Executive Engineer; writ of mandamus under Article 226; Article 21 invoked; direction to release payments within eight weeks; five CC road/culvert agreements (2024-2026); total Rs.50,50,587/-; interest at 24% p.a. prayed but not adjudicated; IA No.1 of 2026 under Section 151 CPC; Andhra Pradesh High Court; Harinath.N, J.; W.P. No. 18241/2026.

What did the court decide?

Direction to the respondents to verify and release the payments due to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible, preferably within eight weeks from receipt of a copy of the order; writ petition disposed of without costs; pending miscellaneous petitions closed. Claimed interest @ 24% p.a. was not dealt with in the operative order. ¶¶45

Sri K Srikanth Vs the State of Andhra Pradesh — Writ and Judicial Review | Andhra Pradesh HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether the respondents' withholding of payment of pending amounts of Rs.50,50,587/- despite finalization of bills for five completed works, even after completion of all procedural formalities, is bad, illegal and arbitrary, warranting issuance of a writ of mandamus for release of the amounts. +1 more

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Court's answer

The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents did not dispute the petitioner's completion of the works undertaken and admitted that non-payment of the bills was due to paucity of funds.

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Ratio / Principle

The concerned respondents were directed to verify and release the payments due and payable to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible, preferably within eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.

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Key takeaways

The writ petition is disposed of with the above direction; no costs; pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, shall stand closed.ratio¶¶45

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Andhra Pradesh High Court at Amaravati (Harinath.N, J.), Writ Petition No. 18241/2026, disposed of on 15.07.2026: Petitioner-contractor sought a writ of mandamus (under Article 226) for release of Rs.50,50,587/- withheld by the State authorities and Nellore Municipal Corporation despite finalization of bills for five completed CC road/culvert works executed under agreements dated 07.12.2024 to 13.05.2025, alleging violation of Article 21. The Standing Counsel for the respondents did not dispute completion of the works and attributed non-payment to paucity of funds. The Court directed the respondents to verify and release the payments due as expeditiously as possible, preferably within eight weeks of receipt of a copy of the order; no costs; pending miscellaneous petitions closed. The prayer for interest at 24% per annum was not addressed in the operative order.

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HN, J W.P.No.18241_2026

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[3457]

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Date of reserved for orders :

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Date of pronouncement :

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Date of uploading :

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APHC010339262026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI

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(Special Original Jurisdiction)

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WEDNESDAY, THE 15^th DAY OF JULY 2026

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PRESENT

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THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE HARINATH.N WRIT PETITION NO: 18241/2026

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Between:

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SRI K SRIKANTH, S/O.SRINIVASULU, AGED. 34YEARS,26-121602,SNEHANAGAR, B.V.NAGAR, NELLORE ,SPSR NELLORE DISTRICT.

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...PETITIONER

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AND

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THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL, ADMINISTRATION AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDING, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR.522238

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THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, NELLORE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, NELLORE, SPSR NELLORE DISTRICT.524001

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THE NELLORE MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, REP.BY.COMMISSIONER, NELLORE SPSR NELLORE DISTRICT.524001

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THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND PLANNING, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. 522238

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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 an appropriate Writ Order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the Respondents in withholding the payments of pending amounts of Rs.50,50,5871- (Rupees Fifty Lakhs, Fifty Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Seven Rupees only) even after finalizing the bills payable to the petitioner in relation to the works i.e i. Laying of CC Road and Construction of CC culverts from LIG 1-849 to LIG 1-852 at Kallurupalli in Division No. 24 of

HN, J

W.P.No.18241_2026

NMC, Agreement No. 18/JTO-11/2025-26, Dated 13.05.2025 (Rs.9,82,872/-) ii. Laying of CC Road beside vinayaka Temple at Ramakotaiah Nagar main road in Division no. 31 of MNC, Agreement No. 197/JTO-11//2024-25, Dated 07.12.2024 (Rs. 9,92,584/- ), Iii. Laying Of CC road from LIC 1-235 to LiG 1- 401 at Kallurupaili in division no. 24 of NMC, Agreement No. 161/JTO-1/202425, Dated 30.10.2024 (Rs.13,59,043/- lip. Upgradation of CC Road from D no. 26-9-142 to D No.26-9-148 behind 5neha Nagar Sachivalayam, Yoga Street in Division No. 22 of NMC, Agreement No. 287/JTO- 111/2024-2025, Dated 29.01.2025 Rs.8,20,442/) V. Laying of CC road from Malakondaiah House to LIG 1-801 at Kallurupalli in Division No.24 of NMC, Agreerlient No. 19/JTQ-11/2025-26 , Dated 13.05.2025 (R5. 9,03,646/-),as bad ,illegal, arbitrary, improper, unjust and against the Article 21 of constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to pay the amounts of Rs.50,50,5871- (Rupees Fifty Lakhs, Fifty Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Seven Rupees only) with interest @ 24percent pe annum for the delayed amount till date of realization for the works executed by the petitioner and pass

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IA NO: 1 OF 2026

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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 direct the respondents to forthwith consider releasing the amounts Rs.50,50,5871- (Rupees Fifty Lakhs, Fifty Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Seven Rupees only) to the petitioner herein, pending disposal of the writ petition and pass

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Counsel for the Petitioner:

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1.DEVASRI ROSHAN KANCHARLA

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Counsel for the Respondent(S):

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1.GP MUNCIPAL ADMN AND URBAN DEV AP

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2.GP FOR FINANCE PLANNING

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HN, J W.P.No.18241_2026

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ORDER:

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The petitioner is aggrieved by the action of the respondents in withholding the payments of pending amounts of Rs.50,50,587/- (Rupees Fifty Lakhs, Fifty Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Seven Rupees only) even after finalizing the bills payable to the petitioner in relation to the works i.e., i. Laying of CC Road and Construction of CC culverts from LIG 1-849 to LIG 1-852 at Kallurupalli in Division No.24 of NMC, Agreement No.18/JTO-11/2025-26, Dated 13.05.2025 (Rs.9,82,872/-) ii. Laying of CC Road beside vinayaka Temple at Ramakotaiah Nagar main road in Division no. 31 of MNC, Agreement No. 197/JTO-11//2024-25, Dated 07.12.2024 (Rs. 9,92,584/- ), iii. Laying Of CC road from LIC 1-235 to LiG 1-401 at Kallurupaili in division no. 24 of NMC, Agreement No.161/JTO1/2024-25, Dated 30.10.2024 (Rs.13,59,043/- lip. Upgradation of CC Road from D.No. 26-9-142 to D No.26-9-148 behind Sneha Nagar Sachivalayam, Yoga Street in Division No.22 of NMC, Agreement No. 287/JTO-111/2024-2025, Dated 29.01.2025 Rs.8,20,442/-) V. Laying of CC road from Malakondaiah House to LIG 1-801 at Kallurupalli in Division No.24 of NMC, Agreement No.19/JTQ-11/2025-26, Dated 13.05.2025 (Rs. 9,03,646/-).

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The learned counsel further submits that the petitioner duly executed all the works and thereafter submitted final bills, which were duly endorsed by the competent authority. A statement detailing the works executed by the petitioner was prepared, and the progress of the work was recorded in the

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HN, J

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W.P.No.18241_2026 M-book. However, in spite of the completion of all procedural formalities, the payment towards the completed works has not been released till date.

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Heard the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Government Pleader for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Sri A.S.C.Bose, learned Standing Counsel for the Municipality and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Finance and Planning.

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During the course of hearing, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents does not dispute the submissions made by the petitioner with respect to the completion of the work undertaken and that the nonpayment of bills is due to paucity of funds.

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Considering the submissions, the concerned respondents are hereby directed to verify and release the payments due payable to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

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