APHC010943112018 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI WP(PIL) NO: 375 of 2018 Bench Sr.No:-8 [3584] In Re ...Petitioner Vs. Union of India and others ...Respondents ********** CORAM : THE CHIEF JUSTICE LISA GILL SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN DATE : 9th September, 2026 Present : Advocate for Petitioner : --- Advocate(s) for Respondent(s): Mr J V Phaniduth representing Mr T Niranjan [Deputy Solicitor General of India] LISA GILL, CJ: This matter had been taken up in view of order dated 06.12.2018 passed by the then Chief Justice whereby serious concerns were addressed regarding casual endorsements and attitude of postal authorities in regard to different postal articles issued by this Court to litigants who are arrayed as respondents in various petitions. 2. It is observed in said order that endorsements are not dependable in many cases and it has come to light that respondents, who had generated litigations in subordinate courts, are not even served with notices 2 HCJ & CGR, J WP(PIL)_375_2018 and such postal articles are merely returned and it appeared that no requisite effort was being taken to serve notices. It is in this backdrop that Registry was directed to take up order dated 06.12.2018 by way of public interest litigation and list the same. 3. Compliance affidavit dated 24.12.2018 had been filed on behalf of respondent Nos.1 & 2 incorporating various steps taken to rectify the shortcomings as pointed out. It was further stated in said report that stern disciplinary action is being taken against postal authorities who failed to attempt delivery in tune with applicable rules framed in postal manuals. Details of disciplinary action taken was attached along with said report. 4. Another latest report dated 07.09.2026 has been filed on behalf of respondent Nos.1 & 2. It is stated therein that ‘Department of Posts has established a four-tier Mail Monitoring Unit, implemented five independent layers of verification for non-delivery remarks and improved document delivery performance to 95.03% (excluding Branch Offices) and 93.37% (Rural Branch Offices) as of July, 2026’. 5. Summary of monitoring and training mechanisms, delivery procedures and safeguards, compliance on secure handling and delivery of court notices/summons, performance and statistical data, as provided by learned counsel for respondent Nos.1 & 2, reads as under: 3 HCJ & CGR, J WP(PIL)_375_2018 “Monitoring and Training Mechanisms: A permanent, daily four-tier Mail Monitoring Unit (MMU) infrastructure is active across Directorate, Circle, Regional, and Divisional levels. Five mandatory layers of independent check verify non-delivery remarks: - electronic trails via a mobile app, - supervisory reviews, - confidential field checks by inspectors, - telephonic confirmations, and - random Divisional MMU test calls.  Delivery Procedures and Safeguards: The department treats court notices as highest-priority accountable articles under a mandatory 12-step protocol that cannot be returned based on a single employee's unverified assertion. A return is permitted only after executing a strict 12-step mandatory workflow that begins with Same-Day Dispatch (D+0) to the beat postman or Gramin Dak Sevak on the exact day of receipt. If the addressee is unavailable, the official must make exhaustive enquiries with neighbours, security personnel, or village functionaries, ensuring a minimum of three genuine attempts on different dates before initiating any return procedure. Under strict writing norms, casual or abbreviated remarks are totally banned; every endorsement must be clear, factual, dated, signed, and rubber-stamped. This is followed by supervisory scrutiny where the Postmaster verifies and countersigns the remarks, supplemented by random field test-checks by the PRI(P).  Compliance on secure handling and delivery of court notices/summons: The department has put strict, official rules in place to handle court notices/summons securely. Page No. Annexure Instruction/ SOP Substance 24-25 A-1 Directorate (Mail Operations Division) letter No. Mail-31/2/2025- D-DOP-Part (1) dated 29.05.2025 issued by the DDG (MO) to all Heads of Circles which made it mandatory for postmen to make real efforts, check with neighbours, write clear remarks, and face supervisor checks. 4 HCJ & CGR, J WP(PIL)_375_2018 26-27 A-2 Circle letter No. Mails/Misc/2023- 24 dated 04.06.2025 of the O/o CPMG, A.P. Circle These rules were immediately ordered for strict implementation across the state of Andhra Pradesh 28-29 A-3 Directorate letter No. Mail- 30/27/2024-D-DOP-Part (1) dated 01.06.2026 issued by the ADG (Mail Operations) to all CPMsG To make the system even safer, the apex body issued these instructions on the secure handling of judicial communications 30 A-4 MMU/Delivery Instructions/2026- 27 Dated 02.06.2026 These rules were immediately ordered for strict implementation across the state  Performance & Statistical Data: The deficiencies identified by this Hon'ble Court in 2018 have been structurally corrected by replacing general endorsements with standardized, signed, and rubber-stamped formats. Backed by a permanent four-tier Mail Monitoring Unit and five layers of independent verification, the department now ensures absolute tracking visibility via real- time digital platforms and enforces strict individual accountability under statutory service rules thereby the risk of a notice being returned on an unverified assertion stands minimized.” 6. We have gone through detailed latest report dated 07.09.2026 wherein copious details of measures undertaken have been set out. There is an unconditional apology which has been tendered for inconvenience caused as detailed in order dated 06.12.2018. 5 HCJ & CGR, J WP(PIL)_375_2018 7. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances, we are satisfied that requisite measures have been put in place by respondents and present proceedings need not be continued; however, it is made clear that in case of any issues which may be raised by Registry of this Court, same shall be addressed immediately by Department of Posts, on receipt of such communication. 8. Proceedings are, accordingly, closed. No costs. Pending application(s) if any stand(s) disposed of accordingly. LISA GILL, CJ CHALLA GUNARANJAN, J Vjl Whether the order is Speaking/Reasoned : Yes / No Whether the order is Reportable : Yes / No