APHC010162422025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3506] THURSDAY, THE THIRD DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN WRIT PETITION NO: 8416/2025 Between: Gangireddy Gari Pujari Obireddy, ...PETITIONER AND The State Of Andhra Pradesh and Others ...RESPONDENT(S) Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. BOMMINAYUNI APPARAO Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR SERVICES II 2 W.P.No.8416 of 2025 The Court made the following order: This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the following relief/s:- “…to issue writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the Respondent Authorities taking unilateral decisions in placing Archakas and further the 3rd Respondent in issuing proceedings dated 25-02-2025 terminating the services of R.Ashok, Archaka of 4th respondent Temple without taking consideration of any complaints/opinion in attending duties in the subject 4th Respondent temple and further permitting the 5th respondent as Pujari as illegal, arbitrary and violative of principles of natural justice and to pass such other order or orders.…” 2. Heard Sri B.Appa rao, learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Endowments for respondent No.1 and Sri G.Nagabushanam, learned counsel for respondent Nos.2 and 3. 3. The petitioner’s ancestors claimed to have donated certain land falling within the limits of Chillavaripalli Village, Tadimarri Mandal, as endowment, for maintenance of Sri Katakoteswara Swamy Temple, which is an old and ancient temple. Initially, temple was maintained by heredity, thereafter, there were disputes within the village and with the intervention of local MLA, the Government issued G.O.Ms.No.677, Revenue (Endts.II), dated 17.10.2022, granting exemption from operation of Sections 15 and 29 of the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and 3 W.P.No.8416 of 2025 Endowments Act, 1987, for a period of ten years. One of the conditions set out therein was that customs and usages should not be disturbed or deviated under any circumstances. One Mr R.Ashok was appointed as Archaka on temporary basis by proceedings dated 28.02.2022. Later, the Government has taken decision to keep earlier exemption orders, in abeyance by G.O.Rt.No.145, Revenue (Endowments.II) Department, dated 24.02.2025. As there were certain allegations against the said Archaka i.e., R.Ashok, his services came to be terminated until finalization of the charges. The petitioner, aggrieved by the same and by appointing the 5th respondent as Poojari to perform pooja, has filed present writ petition. 4. Learned Assistant Government Pleader appearing for respondents submits that the petitioner has no locus standi to challenge either the termination issued in favour of one Mr R.Ashok or appointment of the 5th respondent as Poojari in his place. 5. Admittedly, the petitioner cannot aggrieved by proceedings dated 25.02.2025, by which services of one R.Ashok came to be terminated. The petitioner has not claimed to be Archaka/Poojari, who is entitled for performing pooja at temple. Therefore, this Court does not find any merit in the writ petition. 4 W.P.No.8416 of 2025 6. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions, pending if any, shall stand closed. ______________________________________ JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN Date: 03.04.2025 KBN 5 W.P.No.8416 of 2025 94 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN WRIT PETITION NO: 8416/2025 Date: 03.04.2025 KBN