Disposed¶32

Pothula Gangadhar v. the State of Ap

Writ Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India – Mandamus – Disposal of representation

Andhra Pradesh HC18 Feb 2026WP/4057/2026

Download

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Andhra Pradesh High Court at Amaravati; Writ Petition No. 4057 of 2026; Dr. Justice Y. Lakshmana Rao; Article 226; writ of mandamus; consideration and disposal of representation; police permission for religious festival; Sri Sri Sri Poleramma Jathara; Arjunudupalem Village, Iragavaram Mandal, West Godavari District; representation cannot be kept pending; reasoned order required to grant or reject; time-bound direction of one week; writ petition disposed of; no costs.

What did the court decide?

Direction to respondent No.3 to dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 27.01.2026 in accordance with law within one (01) week; no order as to costs; miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, stand closed. ¶32

Pothula Gangadhar Vs the State of Ap — Writ and Judicial Review | Andhra Pradesh HC (2026)

APHC010070302026

[3521]

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI

¶5

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

¶6

THURSDAY,THE NINETEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX

¶7

PRESENT

¶8

THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE Y. LAKSHMANA RAO

¶9

WRIT PETITION NO: 4057/2026

Between:

Pothula Gangadhar

...PETITIONER

AND

The State Of Ap and Others

¶15

...RESPONDENT(S)

¶16

Counsel for the Petitioner:

¶17

1.SAI GANGADHAR CHAMARTY

¶18

Counsel for the Respondent(S):

¶19

1.GP FOR HOME

¶20

The Court made the following:

¶21

ORDER:

¶22

The Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of

¶23

India seeking the following relief:-

¶24

“…to issue an appropriate Writ order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of MANDAMUS seeking a direction to the respondents to consider and dispose of the petitioners representation dated 2701 2026 to accord permission to conduct/organize various cultural religious celebrations on the occasion of Sri Sri Sri Poleramma Jathara at Arjunudupalem Village Iragavaram Manal West Godavari District during 05032026 to 08032026 and to pass such other order(s)…”

¶25

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Assistant

¶26

Government Pleader for Home.

¶27

¶28

It is the grievance of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the representation dated 27.01.2026 has not been considered or disposed of by respondent No. 4 seeking permission to conduct religious celebrations on the occasion of Sri Sri Sri Poleramma Jathara at Arjunudupalem Village, Iragavaram Mandal, West Godavari District, from 05.03.2026 to 08.03.2026.

¶29

Sri P. Ajay Babu, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home, on written instructions, submits that under the colour or guise of cultural activities, the petitioner and his followers may indulge in certain unlawful activities, and that is the reason why the police have not yet taken a decision on the request.

¶30

However, when a representation is submitted by the petitioner before respondent No. 4, he is required either to grant permission by passing a reasoned order or to reject the same. Keeping the representation pending without taking any decision would not augur well for good administration.

¶31

Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, respondent No.3 is directed to dispose of the representation in accordance with law within a period of one (01) week.

¶32