Andhra Pradesh High Court Judgments & News

Andhra Pradesh High Court

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 / 2 days 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 / 3 days 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.

7 days ago

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SC Dismisses Plea Against Court Shift in Andhra, Says “Justice Is for Litigants, Not Lawyers”

The Supreme Court dismissed a plea against shifting a court in Andhra Pradesh, noting that lawyers often oppose new courts, forgetting they serve litigants, not themselves.

A Bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was hearing a petition by advocate Buragadda Ashok Kumar challenging the move of the VI Additional District and Sessions Court from Machilipatnam to Avanigadda.

CJI remarked, “Courts are not only for lawyers. We’re talking about justice at doorsteps.”

The Court observed that such relocations aim to improve access for litigants, not inconvenience lawyers. The petitioner eventually withdrew the plea.

[Buragadda Ashok Kumar v The Honble HC of Andhra Pradesh]

8 days ago

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AP High Court Flags Poor Hostel Conditions, Seeks Monthly Reports from Govt

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has raised serious concerns over the condition of government hostels, especially for girls, where students are allegedly made to sleep on dharis instead of mattresses.

Citing reports from District Legal Services Authorities, the Court noted unhygienic toilets, unsafe infrastructure, and non-compliance with child welfare guidelines. It directed the Chief Secretary to submit reform proposals and mandated regular district-level inspections.

Officials claimed repairs were ongoing. The Court asked for monthly status reports, naming inspecting officers and outlining their schedules. The matter, which involves urgent child protection issues, will be heard next on August 20.

[Keethineedi Akhil Sri Guru Teja Vs. The State of Andhra Pradesh and others]

Read Details / 8 days ago

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Andhra Pradesh High Court Rejects Second Anticipatory Bail Plea in Spa-Brothel Case

The Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed a second anticipatory bail plea filed by three accused of running a brothel under the guise of a spa.

Justice Mallikarjuna Rao held that no change in circumstances was shown since the earlier rejection on May 8. The Court emphasised that anticipatory bail is an extraordinary remedy, and custodial interrogation was essential for a thorough probe.

Observing that the petitioners evaded arrest and failed to cooperate, the Court held that their release could obstruct the probe and influence witnesses. The case's merits remain undecided. (Shaik Asif and Ors v. State of Andhra Pradesh)

Read Judgement / 23 days ago

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Visakhapatnam Court Orders Perjury Proceedings Against Women in False Dowry Case

A Visakhapatnam court has ordered perjury proceedings against a woman who filed false dowry harassment charges against her husband and father-in-law under Section 498A of the IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Gajuwaka, acquitted both men after finding the 2020 allegations baseless.

The woman had also falsely claimed she was unqualified to earn a livelihood, but evidence showed she held a B.Tech degree from JNTU, Kakinada. Her husband, a bus conductor, proved he had supported her education.

The court directed that a perjury complaint be filed under Section 340 CrPC for giving false evidence in sworn statements. The matter will proceed before the appropriate court.

Read Details / 30 days ago

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Verbal Abuse Alone Not Abetment: Andhra Pradesh High Court Sets Aside Conviction Under Section 306 IPC

The Andhra Pradesh High Court set aside a conviction under Section 306 IPC, holding that mere verbal humiliation and physical assault, without a direct act of incitement, does not amount to abetment of suicide.

The case involved a woman who died by suicide after being beaten and accused of infidelity by her husband and brother-in-law.

Citing key precedents, the Court emphasized that a proximate, intentional act is essential for conviction.

Since no such instigating act was found, the Court allowed the revision, setting aside the lower courts’ conviction to prevent a miscarriage of justice.

a month ago

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Andhra Pradesh HC Warns Magistrates: Follow Supreme Court Guidelines Before Remanding Social Media Offenders

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has issued a circular warning Judicial Magistrates against routinely remanding individuals accused in cases related to social media posts, without following Supreme Court guidelines laid down in the Arnesh Kumar and Imran Pratapgadhi cases.

The circular, dated July 5, 2025, states that any violation may lead to contempt proceedings and departmental action.

The Court stressed that magistrates must assess factors like repeat offences, risk of evidence tampering, and need for custodial interrogation before granting remand.

The directive aims to curb arbitrary detentions and uphold procedural safeguards, especially in cases related to social media posts and comments.

Read Circular / a month ago

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‘Ganja’ Under NDPS Covers Only Flowering Tops, Not Leaves or Seeds : AP High Court

Case Name: Killo Subbarao and Others vs. The State Of Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh High Court granted bail to a couple accused of possessing 32 kg of “ganja”, clarifying that under Section 2(iii)(b) of the NDPS Act, “ganja” refers solely to the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant and explicitly excludes seeds and leaves if not accompanied by the tops.

The Court noted the police failed to separate tops from leaves and seeds during weighing the contraband, violating statutory procedure. The court emphasised that the proper identification of the seized material is crucial under the NDPS Act.

Finding no basis for weighing the total quantity as ganja, the Court held the presumption under Section 37 NDPS did not apply, and granted regular bail with conditions

Read Details / a month ago

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Andhra Pradesh High Court Bars Waqf Tribunal from Reopening 45-Year-Old Land Dispute

Case Name: Kalimela Kiran Kumar v. The State Of Andhra Pradesh & Ors.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled that the Waqf Tribunal lacks jurisdiction to entertain a 2024 suit challenging a land parcel, already adjudicated as non-Waqf property by a civil court in 1978.

The court cited Section 7(5) of the Waqf Act, 1995, stating that once a civil court has decided an issue before the Act’s commencement, the Tribunal cannot reopen it.

The case arose when the Mutavalli of the Darvesh Takia Masjid filed a declaration suit over land that had been conclusively declared non-Waqf in 1978.

The High Court held that allowing the suit would violate res judicata and issued a writ of prohibition against the Tribunal.

Order Copy / a month ago

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Trans Woman Can File Cruelty Complaint Under Section 498A: Andhra Pradesh High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled that a trans woman in a heterosexual marriage has the legal right to file a complaint under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for cruelty by her husband or his relatives.

The court rejected the petitioners’ argument that a trans woman cannot be considered a “woman” under the law solely because she cannot biologically reproduce, calling it discriminatory and unconstitutional.

Citing the Supreme Court’s Supriyo judgment, the court affirmed queer couples' rights. However, it quashed the case against the accused due to a lack of evidence of cruelty. (Viswanathan Krishna Murthy V The State of Andhra Pradesh & Anr.)

Read Judgement / a month ago

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AP High Court: Unequal Scholarships To School Without Explanation Is Discriminatory

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the government to review its scholarship grants under the Best Available Schools (BAS) Scheme after finding that M/s Chaitanya High School in Nellore District received less funding than similar schools without any justification.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that granting unequal scholarships without providing reasons amounts to discrimination under Article 14 of the Constitution.

The Court ordered the state to increase the school’s scholarship to ₹20,000 per student per annum and to provide ₹15,000 for Classes III and IV unless valid reasoning for lower rates is provided.

The bench emphasized transparency and fairness in public funding decisions.

Read Judgment / a month ago

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AP High Court: Filing False Criminal Case Against Husband is Cruelty Under Hindu Marriage Act

The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that a wife's act of filing a false criminal complaint against her husband and his family, leading to their prosecution and eventual acquittal, constitutes mental cruelty under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

The court observed that such actions cause persistent trauma and social humiliation, amounting to mental cruelty and providing valid grounds for divorce. The case involved a couple separated for nearly 29 years, with the husband alleging mental cruelty due to the false complaint.

The court upheld the divorce decree, emphasizing that mental cruelty can be established based on the preponderance of probabilities.

Judgment Copy / 2 months ago

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AP High Court Upholds Conviction of 84-Year-Old for Electricity Theft, Reduces Fine Due To Old Age

Case Name: Peram Venkata Reddy v. The State of Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh High Court upheld the conviction of an 84-year-old man for electricity theft under Section 135(1)(a)(b) of the Electricity Act, 2003 reduced his fine from ₹2.7 lakh to ₹20,000.

The man was found guilty of tampering with the electricity meter and stealing power worth ₹44,859, as originally ruled by a Special Tribunal in Guntur.

Hearing his appeal under Section 374(2) CrPC, the Court noted his age and time already served in jail.

The Court noted that the original fine was excessive, and the man will be released once the ₹20,000 is paid to the electricity company.

Read Judgment / 2 months ago

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