Disposed

Archbishop Dr Ashok Babu Chegudi @ Joshua Daniel v. the State of Ap

Andhra Pradesh HC15 Sept 2026WP(PIL)/212/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

In this PIL, the petitioner sought a writ of mandamus directing the State to take action against illegal eviction and demolition notices issued without due process, alleging violations of fundamental rights and religious bias. The court noted that the petitioner had admitted to being one of the affected parties personally impacted by the incidents. Recognizing the presence of personal interest, the bench held the PIL not maintainable. The petition was disposed of with liberty to the affected parties to challenge the individual notices separately via private writ petitions.

What the court decided

AI extract

Archbishop Dr Ashok Babu Chegudi… — Constitutional and Fundamental Rights | Andhra Pradesh HC (2026)

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APHC010246632026

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Bench Sr.No:-4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH [3584] AT AMARAVATI

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WP(PIL) NO: 212 of 2026

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Archbishop Dr Ashok Babu Chegudi @ Joshua Daniel...Petitioner

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Vs.

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The State of AP and Others

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...Respondent(s)

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CORAM : THE CHIEF JUSTICE LISA GILL

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SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN

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DATE : 16th September 2026

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Present:

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Advocate for Petitioner: SIVANAYAK KORRA, rep. by RANA SANDEEP BUSSA

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Advocate(s) for Respondent(s): GP FOR REVENUE,

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GP FOR GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

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ORDER: (per Hon’ble Sri Justice Challa Gunaranjan)

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This writ petition in public interest is filed seeking the

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following relief:

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“to issue an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction more particularly one in the nature of a Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondents to take immediate, decisive, and timebound action on the representations dated 25.04.2026, 27.04.2026, 28.04.2026 and 29.04.2026

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HCJ & CGR, J W.P.(PIL) No.212 of 2026

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and to declare the continued inaction of the Respondents as a gross violation of the Principles of Natural Justice and the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 300-A of the Constitution of India and further to specifically quash and set aside the illegal eviction and demolition notices issued by various Panchayat Secretaries, Revenue, Municipal and District Authorities across Andhra Pradesh which were issued without following due process of law or providing the mandatory notice period and to direct strict legal and disciplinary proceedings against officials who have acted with religious bias and abused their statutory authority and also to direct the Respondents to implement robust and immediate protective measures to ensure the safety and security of the Christian community, Pastors and Scheduled Castes (SC) ensuring the absolute protection of their residences and places of worship and pass such other order or orders as this Hon’ble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.”

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2. Mr.Rana Sandeep Bussa, learned counsel, representing

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Mr.Sivanayak Korra, learned counsel for petitioner, submits that the official respondents have been obstructing and interfering with the private activity of conducting prayers by one set of community people without any authority, further that the churches and private properties belonging to the said community people were targeted

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HCJ & CGR, J W.P.(PIL) No.212 of 2026

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by issuing various notices for either stoppage of activities or demolition and removal of structures, without even mentioning date and providing sufficient time to respond to the same, which is highly illegal and arbitrary and such high-handed action clearly violated the rights of individual persons therein, besides being unconstitutional. Learned counsel has drawn our attention to few of such notices filed as Exhibits P-20 dated 02.04.2025 and P-21 dated 04.04.2026.

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3. When we have specifically pointed out to learned counsel for petitioner whether any of aforesaid notices have been challenged by affected persons, he fairly stated that none of the same were ever challenged. Further, as can be seen from the pleadings in the affidavit in paragraph 9A (iii) and (v), the same clearly point out that even petitioner was also one of the affected parties and that there is a specific averment that petitioner was called upon to report at police station in relation to one of the incidents. Therefore, when the same was pointed out to learned counsel for the petitioner, he once again fairly admitted that even petitioner is also one of the affected persons.

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4. In view of the above said statement, we are of the view that present writ petition by way of public interest is not maintainable, as there is an element of personal interest. At this stage of the

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HCJ & CGR, J W.P.(PIL) No.212 of 2026

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proceedings, learned counsel for petitioner made a request to withdraw the writ petition with liberty to challenge the individual notices.

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5. Therefore, by granting liberty to the affected parties to challenge the individual notices, present writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

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As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions pending consideration,

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if any, in this case shall stand closed.

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LISA GILL, CJ CHALLA GUNARANJAN, J

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Archbishop Dr Ashok Babu Chegudi @ Joshua Daniel v. the State of Ap

Case brief

What is this about?

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Archbishop Dr Ashok Babu Chegudi @ Joshua Daniel v. the State of Ap

Case brief

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