Bode Ramachandra Yadav v. the State of Andhra Pradesh
Public meeting permission – Articles 19(1)(a) & 19(1)(b); Article 226 mandamus
Case brief
What is this about?
Andhra Pradesh High Court grants conditional permission for political party public meeting 'BC Simha Garjana' (22.02.2026, ground opposite Acharya Nagarjuna University, Mangalagiri, Guntur) after SP Guntur rejected representations on law-and-order grounds; writ of mandamus under Article 226; right to assemble/protest under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) subject to reasonable regulatory conditions; relies on Kameshwar Prasad v. State of Bihar (1962) Supp 3 SCR 369, Himant Lal K. Shah (1973) 1 SCC 227, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan AIR 2018 SC 3476, and Kaka Ramakrishna v. State of Andhra Pradesh (ban on public meetings impermissible, regulation permissible); fourteen conditions imposed (time limit 1400–1700 hrs, 10,000-person cap, no procession, no National Highway obstruction, CCTV/amenities at organiser's cost, decibel limits); writ petition disposed of, no costs.
What did the court decide?
Permission granted to the Petitioner to convene the public meeting styled 'BC Simha Garjana' on 22.02.2026 at the esplanade/ground opposite Nagarjuna University, Mangalagiri, Guntur District, subject to the fourteen enumerated conditions (including 1400–1700 hours timing, self-funded amenities with CCTV, no procession, no obstruction of the National Highway, maximum 10,000 invitees, and Petitioner's liability for law-and-order); no order as to costs; miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, stand closed.