Andhra Pradesh High Court Judgments & News

Andhra Pradesh High Court

Hundi Collections Involve Devotees’ Faith, Not Just Accounting: Andhra Pradesh High Court Flags Lapses At TTD

The Andhra Pradesh High Court examined serious lapses in the management of hundi collections at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) following a theft reported at the Parakamani Complex in April 2023.

The Court said the issue goes beyond accounting and directly affects the religious faith of devotees. It observed that outdated and manpower-heavy procedures make the system vulnerable to pilferage and misappropriation.

Emphasising that offerings are infused with intangible religious sentiment, the Court directed TTD to place on record an immediate reform plan along with a long-term strategy involving mechanisation, digitalisation, and the use of Artificial Intelligence.

The matter has been listed for further compliance.

[M Sreenivasulu v. The State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors.]

Read Details / 2 days ago

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Andhra Pradesh High Court Orders Reservation for Transgender Persons in Six Months

The Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the State Government to grant reservation for transgender persons in public employment within six months, recognising them as one of the most socially and economically marginalised communities.

Justice Nyapathy Vijay held that their exclusion from family, social, and political life justified affirmative action under Articles 16(4) and 16(4A) of the Constitution.

The Court ordered the government to frame comprehensive policies that ensure equality, representation, and the protection of transgender persons across all public sectors. It emphasised that inclusion and dignity must replace discrimination and invisibility in governance and employment.

[Katru Rekha v State of Andhra Pradesh]

Read Order / a month ago

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Denial of Terminal Benefits to Retired Employees Violates Article 21: Andhra Pradesh High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that the state government’s failure to release terminal benefits to retired employees amounted to a violation of their fundamental right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The Court observed that the erosion of traditional values of respect toward senior citizens was a distressing trend in modern society.

The Court emphasised that timely disbursal of pensions and retirement dues is vital for the survival of senior citizens and directed the state to clear all pending benefits with interest, treating delayed payment as a form of deprivation.

[Chittiboyina Bharata Rao v The Krishna District Cooperative Central Bank Ltd]

Read Details / a month ago

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Andhra Pradesh to Examine Reservation for Transgender Persons in Public Jobs

The Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the State Government to take a positive decision on extending reservation to transgender persons in public employment, similar to Karnataka’s policy of 1% horizontal reservation.

A Division Bench of Justices Battu Devanand and A. Hari Haranadha Sarma was informed that the Karnataka Government had implemented such a reservation following a High Court order.

The Bench was hearing an appeal challenging the exclusion of transgender persons from Sub-Inspector recruitment.

The matter will be heard again on November 24.

[Matam Gangabhavani v. State of Andhra Pradesh and Anr]

Read Details / a month ago

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Andhra Pradesh High Court: Partial Unit Shutdown Constitutes Closure Under ID Act

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled that shutting down even a portion of an industrial unit qualifies as “closure” under Section 25F of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, when the unit is functionally integrated with the larger establishment.

The Court clarified that in such cases, affected workmen are entitled to closure compensation rather than reinstatement in other operational units, and noted that the petitioner’s unit had ceased operations permanently and all statutory dues had been duly settled.

The Court held that, since the other units were distinct establishments located in separate districts, the workman’s plea for absorption in those units was untenable.

a month ago

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DGP-Level CID Probe Ordered Into Tirumala Temple Theft, Andhra Pradesh High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court ordered a DGP-rank CID officer to investigate the 2023 theft of offerings at the Tirumala temple, citing a “complete compromise” by the investigating officer and TTD officials.

Justice Gannamaneni Ramakrishna found lapses in not invoking Section 409 IPC against accused CV Ravi Kumar, a public servant, and criticised the Lok Adalat’s compounding of a non-compoundable offence.

The Court noted ₹14.5 crore worth of properties were accepted from the accused without due process and directed an Anti-Corruption Bureau DGP to probe his family’s assets.

The Court also ordered administrative action against the Tirupati magistrate involved.

[M Sreenivasulu v The State of Andhra Pradesh and Others]

Read Details / a month ago

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Plea Challenges BNSS Handcuffing Rule as Unconstitutional: Andhra Pradesh High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has asked the Central Government to respond to a petition challenging Section 43(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, which permits police to handcuff accused persons in serious offences.

The petitioner submitted that the impugned provision confers unfettered discretion upon police authorities, resulting in the stigmatisation of individuals before conviction, and thereby infringes Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

The plea also contended that handcuffing should remain an exception, not a routine practice, and could be permitted when there is a clear and reasonable risk of escape.

[Keyur Akkiraju v Union of India]

Read Details / 2 months ago

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Andhra Pradesh High Court Seeks Centre’s Reply in Challenge to Prosecutorial Veto Under BNSS

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has issued notice to the Union government in a petition challenging Section 20(8) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), under which prosecution officials may “examine and scrutinise” police chargesheets in offences punishable with 7–10 years’ imprisonment.

The petitioner argues that this power to vet chargesheets encroaches upon the independent domain of police investigation, violating Articles 14 and 21 by introducing arbitrary interference.

A bench of Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Raghunandan Rao will hear the matter further once the Union government files its reply.

2 months ago

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Andhra Pradesh High Court Admits PIL Against Police-Led Recruitment of Prosecutors

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has admitted a PIL challenging the constitutionality of letting a police-run body, the Andhra Pradesh State Level Police Recruitment Board (APSLPRB), conduct recruitment for Assistant Public Prosecutors (APPs).

The petitioner argued that this conflicts with the principle of separation of powers, since prosecutors are meant to scrutinise police investigations.

Key issues include whether APPs are permanent civil servants under Article 309, whether the recruitment notification clarifies their service terms, and whether appointment by police undermines prosecutorial independence and fair trial rights.

The Court issued a notice to the State and listed the matter for hearing on November 5, 2025.

[Balabadruni Naga Satwik v. State of Andhra Pradesh and Ors.]

3 months ago

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Andhra Pradesh HC Rules GST Orders Without DIN Are ‘Invalid’ but Not Void

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that Goods and Services Tax (GST) assessment orders issued without the mandatory Document Identification Number (DIN) are invalid but not void ab initio and remain operative unless annulled by a competent court.

A Division Bench of Justices R. Raghunandan Rao and Sumathi Jagadam clarified that while CBIC’s DIN circulars are binding to ensure transparency, violation makes an order invalid rather than automatically null.

The Court dismissed writ petitions filed belatedly against such orders, noting that taxpayers had accessed them through the GST portal and could not plead ignorance.

Read Details / 3 months ago

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Andhra Pradesh High Court Upholds Removal of Record Assistant for taking Bribes & Filing Fake Complaints

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has upheld the dismissal of a Record Assistant from the Mandal Legal Services Authority (MLSA) for serious misconduct.

The charges included filing false complaints against a Junior Civil Judge and demanding bribes from State Bank of India officials for providing Lok Adalat award copies.

A Division Bench of Justices R. Raghunandan Rao and Sumathi Jagadham held that dismissal was proportionate to the gravity of charges.

Relying on credible witness testimony, the Court rejected the petitioner’s claim of insufficient evidence and dismissed his plea against termination.

3 months ago

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Andhra Pradesh High Court Orders Strict Compliance with Speed Breaker Guidelines in Response to a PIL

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the State to ensure that all speed breakers conform to the revised specifications of the Indian Road Congress (IRC) and other relevant authorities.

A Bench of Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Ravi Cheemalapati, while hearing a PIL by Thandava Yogesh, noted that faulty and unmarked speed breakers pose serious road safety risks.

The Court asked the State to rectify existing installations and issue circulars mandating compliance with updated guidelines.

Authorities were reminded to highlight speed breakers with reflective paint for visibility and ensure adherence in letter and spirit.

[Thandava Yogesh v The State Of Andhra Pradesh and Others]

Read Order / 4 months ago

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Signature Mismatch Alone Not Enough to Prove Tampering: AP High Court Rejects NEET Plea

The Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed a NEET (UG) candidate’s plea alleging tampering of her OMR answer sheet. The petitioner claimed that her OMR sheet showed only 11 attempted questions instead of 180 and that the thumb impression and signature on the sheet did not match hers.

The National Testing Agency argued that OMR sheets were sealed in exam rooms with witness signatures, eliminating tampering chances.

The Court noted inconsistencies in the petitioner’s own signatures across documents and held that signature mismatch alone does not prove tampering. It ruled such allegations untenable and dismissed the plea.

[Dudekula Shameera V. The Union Of India]

Read Order / 4 months ago

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Andhra Pradesh High Court Stays Criminal Proceedings Against Sony India MD in Consumer Fraud Case

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has granted interim relief to Sony India Managing Director Sunil Nayyar by staying all criminal proceedings against him in a consumer fraud case.

The FIR alleged conspiracy and cheating related to a Sony TV repair/replace dispute.

Nayyar argued he was wrongly made a defendant solely due to his position, without any evidence of direct involvement or guilty intent. He contended that the dispute was civil in nature and not suitable for criminal prosecution.

The Court agreed to stay the case, noting the absence of material connecting him to the allegations and reserving the matter for further hearing.

[Sunil Nayyar v. State of Andhra Pradesh]

Read Details / 4 months ago

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Advocate Tuhin Kumar Gedela Appointed as Additional Judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court

The Central government has approved the appointment of advocate Tuhin Kumar Gedela as an additional judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

His name was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium on July 2, and the appointment was announced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on X.

As of August 1, the Andhra Pradesh High Court is functioning with 28 judges against a sanctioned strength of 37, leaving nine vacancies.

4 months ago

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