APHC010392542025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) FRIDAY, THE FIRST DAY OF AUGUST TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HON’BLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 20011 OF 2025 Between: A. Muneendra, S/o. Appa Balu, Aged about 38 years, Occ: Archaka, R/o H.No. 1/6, Anandaraopet, Singanamala Mandal, Anantapuramu District, A.P. ...Petitioner AND 1. The State of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. by its Principal Secretary Endowments Department A.P., 2. The Commissioner of Endowments, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada. 3. The Secretariat, Velagapudi, Guntur District, District Collector & Magistrate, Anantapuramu District, Anantapurmu. 4. The District Endowments Officer, Endowments Department, Anantapuramu District. 5. The Mandal In-charge Endowments Officer, Singanamala Mandal, Anantapuramu District. 6. The Superintendent of Police, Anantapuramu District, Anantapuramu. ...Respondents Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue a writ, order or direction particularly one in the nature of Writ wm.m of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in not permitting the Archakas of Sri Gampa Malaiah Temple, Anandaraopet village, Singanamala Mandal. Anantapuramu District, AP, to perform poojas and other religious rituals on every Saturday more particularly in the month of Sravana Masam by going down the hill to the cave at the foot of the hill in which the deity is seated, which practice is immemorable, by imposing restrictions, as punitive, perverse, arbitrary, illegal, violative of Articles 14, 16, 19, 21, 23 to 28 of the Constitution of India; to direct the respondents to permit the petitioner and other Archakas of Sri Gamdpa Malaiah Temple, Anandaraopet village, Singanamala Mandal, Anantapuramu District, AP, to perform poojas and other religious rituals on every Saturday more particularly in the month of Sravana Masam by going down the hill to the cave in which the deity is seated by taking all precautions and safety measures. lA NO: 1 OF 2025 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the respondents to check the safety measurements/precautions taken by the petitioner to go down the hill, make necessary suggestions and permit the Petitioner/Archaka of Sri Gampa Malaiah Temple, Anandaraopet village, Singanamala Mandal, Anantapuramu District, AP, to perform poojas and other religious rituals on every Saturday more particularly in the month of Sravana Masam by going down the hill to the cave in which the deity is seated, since the month of Sravan has already begun from 25.07.2025. Counsel for the Petitioner: SRI YARRAMSETTY VENKATESH Counsel for the Respondent No.6: GP FOR HOME Counsel for the Respondent N0.3: GP FOR REVENUE Counsel for the Respondent Nos. 1, 2, 4 & 5: GP FOR ENDOWMENTS The Court made the following order: APHC010392542025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) SjrtS [3458] r FRIDAY, THE FIRST DAY OF AUGUST TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 20011/2025 Between: 1.A. MUNEENDRA, S/0. APPA BALU, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, OCC ARCHAKA, R/0 H.NO. 1/6, ANANDARAOPET, SINGANAMALA MANDAL, ANANTAPURAMU DISTRICT, A.P. ...PETITIONER AND 1.THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, A.P., 2.THE COMMISSIONER OF ENDOWMENTS, GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH, VIJAYAWADA. 3.THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR AND MAGISTRATE, ANANTAPURAMU DISTRICT, ANANTAPURMU. 4.THE DISTRICT ENDOWMENTS OFFICER, ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT, ANANTAPURAMU DISTRICT. 5.THE MANDAL INCHARGE ENDOWMENTS OFFICER, SINGANAMALA MANDAL, ANANTAPURAMU DISTRICT. 6.THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, ANANTAPURAMU DISTRICT, ANANTAPURAMU. ...RESPONDENT(S): 2 Counsel for the Petitioner: 1 1. YARRAMSETTY VENKATESH Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1.GP FOR HOME 2.GP FOR REVENUE 3.GP FOR ENDOWMENTS The Court made the following: ORDER: Heard Smt. Uma Devi, learned counsel representing Sri Yarramsetty Venkatesh, learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Government Pleader for Endowments and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Revenue appearing for the respondents. 2. The grievance of the petitioner is that he made a representation to the District Collector, the respondent no.3 herein, to allow Arachakas to perform puja at sanctum sanctorum of ‘Sri Gampa Mallaiah located at 100 feet down in a cave which would only be performed during the month of ‘Sravana Masam’ of Hindu Calendar Temple year, however on the said representation no orders have been passed by the respondents. It appears from the record that the representation made by the petitioner was referred to the Endowments Department. Basing on the same, the District Endowments Officer, vide proceedings in RC.No.A6/ENDW-GVOPUB(MKS)/31/2025-JA-1-ENDT-ATP/2025 PGRS dated 15.07.2025, informed the petitioner that appropriate order on the f 3 representation made by the petitioner would be passed after obtaining necessary instructions from the appropriate authority. It is contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that pujas are performed at the Sanctum sanctorum only on Saturdays, of the auspicious month of Sravana Masam. Learned Assistant Government Pleader submits that the representation has to be filed before the Commissioner of Endowments for redressal of the subject grievance of the petitioner. 3. Having regard to the submissions made on behalf of the petitioner that the pujas at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple is performed only during a particular (Sravanam) month of the year, which month will be nearing its end in two to three weeks,this Court deems it appropriate to direct the respondent No.2 to pass appropriate orders on the representation of the petitioner or before 07.08.2025. 4. With the above observation, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. 5. As a sequel, all pending miscellaneous applications shall stand dosed. Sd/- K. TATA RAO deputy registrar //TRUE COPY// SECTION OFFICER To, 1. The Principal Secretary, Endowments Department, Secretariat, Velagapudi, Guntur District, A.P., 2. The Commissioner of Endowments, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Vijayawada. 3. The District Collector and Magistrate, Anantapuramu District Anantapurmu. 4. The District Endowments Officer, Endowments Department, Anantapuramu District. 5. The Mandal Incharge Endowments Officer, Singanamala Mandal, Anantapuramu District. 6. The Superintendent of Police, Anantapuramu District, Anantapuramu. 7. One CC to Sri Yarramsetty Venkatesh, Advocate [OPUC] 8. Two CCs to GP for Home High Court of Andhra Pradesh [OUT] 9. Two CCs to GP for Revenue High Court of Andhra Pradesh [OUT] 10. Two CCs to GP for Endowments, High Court of Andhra Pradesh [OUT] 11. Two CD Copies TF HIGH COURT N DATED:01/08/2025 ORDER WP NO. 20011 OF 2025 I n ? AU5 m ^ Current Section .-y/ DISPOSING OF THE W.P., WITHOUT COSTS