P Venkateshwarlu Vs State of Andhra Pradesh — Writ and Judicial Review | Andhra Pradesh HC (2026)

P Venkateshwarlu Vs State of Andhra Pradesh — Writ and Judicial Review | Andhra Pradesh HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Direction to the respondents to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 16.02.2026, if any received and pending with them, after providing an opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned, within six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order; no order as to costs; miscellaneous applications, if any, stand closed.

Issue for consideration

Whether the inaction of the respondents in disposing of the petitioner's representation dated 16.02.2026, seeking exemption under G.O.Ms.No.298, Revenue (Endowments II) Department, dated 06.07.2023, in respect of Sri Chowdeswari Temple, Kallur Village and Mandal, Kurnool District, is illegal, arbitrary and violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India. +1 more

Court's answer

Considering the submissions of both learned counsel and the material on record, the Court held the writ petition could be disposed of by directing the respondents to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 16.02.2026, if any received and pending with them, after providing an opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned. The Court did not adjudicate the legality of the alleged inaction.

Ratio / Principle

The direction to consider and dispose of the representation was to be complied with within a period of six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order, and there shall be no order as to costs.

Key takeaways

With the above direction, the Writ Petition stands disposed of; as a sequel, miscellaneous applications pending, if any, shall also stand closed.ratio¶44

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Constitution of India, Article 226 — Writ of Mandamus — inaction of Endowments authorities — representation seeking exemption — direction to decide within time. The petitioner, aged 70, claiming to be one of the founder family members of Sri Chowdeswari Temple, Kallur Village and Mandal, Kurnool District (whose forefather Chinna Chowdaiah founded the temple, and whose family traditionally managed its affairs), made a representation dated 16.02.2026 to respondent No.1 (Secretary, Revenue (Endowments-LL) Department) seeking exemption of the temple under G.O.Ms.No.298, Revenue (Endowments II) Department, dated 06.07.2023. According to the petitioner, the respondents neither considered and granted exemption nor passed any orders. The writ petition under Article 226 sought a declaration that such inaction was illegal, arbitrary and violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India. The learned Government Pleader and the learned Standing Counsel submitted that the respondents would consider the representation, if any pending, and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law. Disposing of the writ petition, the Court (Venkateswarlu Nimmagadda, J.) directed the respondents to consider and dispose of the representation dated 16.02.2026, if any received and pending, after providing an opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned, within six (6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. No order as to costs. Miscellaneous applications, if any, stand closed.

[3329]

APHC010141102026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

WEDNESDAY,THE EIGHTH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX

PRESENT

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA WRIT PETITION NO: 7488/2026

Between:

P VENKATESHWARLU, S/O LATE P. OBULAIAH AGED 70 YEARS H.NO 70/118-1, KALLUR (M), KUNOOL DISTRICT.

...PETITIONER

AND

STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, REVENUE (ENDOWMENTS-LL) DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI - 522238.

THE COMMISSIONER, ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, ONE CENTER, 0PP. S-GRAND RESTAURANT, GOLIAPUDI, VIJAYAWADA - 521225.

THE REGIONAL JOINT COMMISSIONER, ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, TIRUPATI, ANDHRA PRADESH.

THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, KRISHNA NAGAR, KURNOOL.

THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, MADHU NAGAR, KURNOOL.

THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SRI CHOWDESWARI DEVASTHANAM TEMPLE, KALLUR VILLAGE AND MANDAL, KURNOOL DISTRICT

...RESPONDENT(S):

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

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pleased topleased to issue a Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the inaction of the Respondents, in disposing of the representation of the petitioner dt. 16.02.2026, seeking exemption under G.O.Ms.No.298, Revenue (Endowments II) Department, dated 06.07.2023, in respect of Sri Chowdeswari Temple, Kallur Village and Mandal, Kurnool District, as illegal, arbitrary and violative of Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India, and pass

IA NO: 1 OF 2026

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 Respondents to dispose of the representation submitted by the petitioner within Four Weeks from the date of receiving the order, and pass

Counsel for the Petitioner:

1.T KUMAR BABU

Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1.GP FOR ENDOWMENTS

The Court made the following:

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THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA WRIT PETITION NO: 7488/2026

ORDER:

This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution

of the India seeking the following reliefs:-

“to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the inaction of the respondents, in disposing of the representation of the petitioner dated 16.02.2026, seeking exemption under G.O.Ms.No.298, Revenue (Endowments II) Department, dated 06.07.2023, in respect of Sri Chowdeswari Temple, Kallur Village and Mandal, Kurnool District, as illegal, arbitrary and violative of Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India and pass such other order.”

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned

Government Pleader and the learned Standing Counsel for the respondents.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is one of the founder family members of Sri Chowdeswari Temple, Kallur Village and Mandal. The petitioner’s forefather i.e., Chinna Chowdaiah was the founder of the said temple. Further, the petitioner’s family has been traditionally managing the affairs of the temple for several decades. Now the subject temple is under the management of Endowments Department. While so, the petitioner made a representation dated 16.02.2026 to respondent No.1

seeking exemption under G.O.Ms.No.298 dated 06.07.2023 in respect of the subject temple. But, the respondents neither

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considered and granted exemption nor passed any orders. Hence, the Writ Petition.

Learned Government Pleader and the learned Standing Counsel submits that the respondents would consider the representation dated 16.02.2026 of the petitioner, if any pending with the respondents and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law.

Considering the submissions made by both the learned counsel and on perusal of the material placed on record, this Court is of the considered opinion that the present Writ Petition can be disposed of, directing the respondents to consider and dispose of the representation dated 16.02.2026 of the petitioner, if any received and pending with the respondents, after providing opportunity of hearing to the parties concerned, within a period of six(6) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs.

With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

As a sequel miscellaneous application, pending, if any, shall also stand closed.

________________________________ VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA, J

08.04.2026 TPS

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HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA

WRIT PETITION NO: 7488/2026

08.04.2026 TPS