Duvvuri Viswamohan Reddy Vs the State of Ap — Andhra Pradesh HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Duvvuri Viswamohan Reddy Vs the State of Ap — Andhra Pradesh HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Directions issued without deciding merits: (a) the 2nd respondent/Commissioner of Endowments to conduct a detailed enquiry into the allegations of Respondent Nos. 5 to 7 in accordance with law, following due procedure and natural justice, and pass a reasoned (speaking) order within three months; (b) the petitioner to continue as founder family member of the 4th respondent temple till then; pending miscellaneous applications, if any, dismissed.

Issue for consideration

Whether the action of the 2nd respondent/Commissioner of Endowments in placing the petitioner under suspension vide proceedings Rc.No.D2/Coe-19023(37)/2/2025-1 dated 16.12.2025 was illegal and arbitrary.

Court's answer

In view of the submissions of counsel for the petitioner, the Government Pleader for Endowments and counsel for Respondent Nos. 5 to 7, the Court need not decide the truth or otherwise of the allegations made in the petition.

Ratio / Principle

The writ petition is disposed of, with directions, without going into the merits of the case.

Key takeaways

The 2nd respondent shall conduct a detailed enquiry into the allegations levelled by the unofficial respondents in accordance with law, by following due procedure and observing the principles of natural justice.ratio¶15
The 2nd respondent shall pass a reasoned (speaking) order on the enquiry within a period of three months.ratio¶15
Till such time (completion of the enquiry and passing of orders), the petitioner shall continue as founder family member of the 4th respondent temple.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ petition (mandamus) by a member of the founder family of the 4th respondent-temple challenging his suspension by the 2nd respondent, Commissioner of Endowments, vide proceedings Rc.No.D2/Coe-19023(37)/2/2025-1 dated 16.12.2025, passed without any enquiry on a complaint by Respondent Nos. 5 to 7 alleging alienation of Ac. 7.12 cents of temple land in Sy. No. 451 of Pantapalem, worth several crores of rupees, in favour of Krishnapatnam Industries Pvt. Ltd. An interim order dated 08.01.2026 had suspended the suspension proceedings, and the petitioner continued as founder family member. Counsel on both sides consented to disposal, and the Court disposed of the petition without going into the merits, directing the Commissioner of Endowments to conduct a detailed enquiry in accordance with law, observing due procedure and the principles of natural justice, and to pass a reasoned (speaking) order within three months, with the petitioner continuing as founder family member till then; pending miscellaneous applications were dismissed.

THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA

WRIT PETITION No.36050 OF 2025

ORDER:

This writ petition is filed to issue writ of mandamus declaring the action of the 2^nd respondent/ Commissioner of Endowments in placing the petitioner under suspension vide proceedings in Rc.No.D2/Coe-19023(37)/2/2025-1 dated 16.12.2025, as illegal and arbitrary.

The case of the petitioner is that he is the member of the founder family of the 4^th respondent–temple. While so, based on the complaint given by the unofficial respondents/Respondent Nos. 5 to 7, the 2^nd respondent, without conducting any enquiry, placed the petitioner under suspension on the allegation that the petitioner had had alienated valuable temple land admeasuring Ac. 7.12 cents in Sy. No. 451 of Pantapalem, worth several crores of rupees, in favour of Krishnapatnam Industries Pvt. Ltd., despite having full knowledge that the said land is vested with the temple. It was further alleged that the petitioner acted with mala fide intention for wrongful gain and in a manner detrimental to the interests of the

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institution. On these allegations of grave irregularities and alleged failure to protect valuable temple lands while discharging his duties as a Trustee, the petitioner was placed under suspension.

During the pendency of the writ petition, this Hon’ble Court, in order to protect the interests of the petitioner, passed an interim order dated 08.01.2026, suspending the proceedings dated 16.12.2025 insofar as, suspension of the petitioner as a founder family member of the 4^th respondent–temple.

When the matter is taken up for hearing Sri M. Vidyasagar, learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Government Pleader for Endowments, and Sri D. V. Sasidhar, learned counsel appearing for Respondent Nos. 5 to 7, submitted that, in view of the interim order passed by this Court dated 08.01.2026, the petitioner has been continuing as a founder family member of the 4^th respondent-temple. As such, both have agreed for and consented for disposal of the writ petition, that let there be a direction to the 2^nd respondent to conduct a detailed enquiry and pass appropriate orders upon the complaint made by the unofficial respondents/Respondent Nos. 5 to 7.

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In view of the submission made by Sri M. Vidyasagar, learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Government Pleader for Endowments, and Sri D. V. Sasidhar, learned counsel appearing for Respondent Nos. 5 to 7, this Court need not decide the truth or otherwise of the allegations made in the petition.

Accordingly, writ petition is disposed of, with the following directions, without going into the merits of the case:

a. The 2^nd respondent shall conduct a detailed enquiry into the allegations levelled by the unofficial respondents, in accordance with law, by following due procedure and observing the principles of natural justice, and shall pass a reasoned (speaking) order within a period of three months;

b. Till such time, the petitioner shall continue as founder family member of the 4^th respondent temple.

Consequently, miscellaneous applications pending if any, shall stand dismissed.

_____________________________________ JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA

Date:04.02.2026 SP

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NV,J W.P.No.36050 of 2025

THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA

WRIT PETITION No. 36050 OF 2025

Date:04.02.2026

W

SP