APHC010576662024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3329] WEDNESDAY, THE EIGHTH DAY OF JANUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA WRIT PETITION NO: 30381/2024 Between: S Sardar Vali and Others ...PETITIONER(S) AND The Union Of India and Others ...RESPONDENT(S) Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 1. SURYA TEJA ANUMOLU Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR ROADS BUILDINGS 2. GP FOR REVENUE 3. The Court made the following: 2 ORDER:- 1. This writ petition is filed claiming the following relief: “…To issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction as may be necessary to direct the Respondents to immediately reinstall the name plates containing the names of the committee members, the inauguration plaque, and all other associated memorabilia that were originally placed at the statue’s previous location, at the new location where the statue has been relocated and pass such other order or orders...” 2. The present writ petition is filed by the petitioners herein seeking justice for statue of India’s First Education Minister, Sri Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who played a pivotal role not only in India’s struggle for independence but also in shaping the nation’s post-independence educational framework. It is submitted that the statue of Sri Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, was relocated by Respondent No.4 to a different site on the directions of Respondent No.1 without following due process, as confirmed by the RTI authorities vide letter dated 03.12.2024. This relocation was carried out without informing to the public or relevant authorities and included in installing the statue at a nearby Arts College but without the necessary memorabilia plates or the plate acknowledging the committee members who had worked on its installation. 3. Sri Ravi Shankar Jandhayala, learned senior counsel representing Sri Surya Teja Anumolu, learned counsel for the petitioners submits that while re-erecting the statue in that location, the Respondent Authorities did not install / place the relevant name plate which indicates the names of the committee members as well as the plaque which mentions the details of 3 inauguration and the date of installation of original statue. Learned counsel further submits that the Respondent Authorities have placed only the statue of Sri Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad leaving Original Plaques at Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department Godown located in the premises of R&B Circle, Anathapuramu and erected the statue in Arts College Road near Tower Clock, which is contrary to the promise made by the Respondents while removing the original plaques. Hence the writ petition. 4. On the other hand, learned Standing Counsel for Respondent No.5 submits that the Statue which had previously been removed was stored by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department. Upon request, the R&B Department agreed to hand over the statue for its reinstallation. In compliance of the promise, the Respondent No.5 re-erected the statue at new place as finalized by the parties concerned. However, during the process of shifting the statue, it was noticed that the old stone flakes, which had been previously removed, could not found in the storage facility. 5. Now, it was brought to the notice of Respondent No.5, as such the Respondents will take steps for installing the name plate & plaque as prayed by the petitioner within a reasonable period as per the procedure / terms contemplated under G.O.Ms.No.18, Transport, Roads & Buildings (Roads-1) Department, dated 18.02.2013. 6. Considering the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Standing Counsel for Respondent No.5 and on 4 perusal of the written instructions issued by Respondent No.5, this Court is of the considered view that the present writ petition can be disposed of, directing Respondent No.5 to take steps for installation of old stone flakes which were lying with the R&B Godown, within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 7. With the above said direction, the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, miscellaneous applications pending if any, shall stand closed. ______________________________________ JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA 8th January, 2025 Knr 5 HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE VENKATESWARLU NIMMAGADDA WRIT PETITION No.30381 of 2024 8th January, 2025 Knr