r APHC010041962024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [^■0 0^ WEDNESDAY, THE SIXTH DAY OF AUGUST A TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 4877 OF 2024 Between: Mr. D Raghurami Reddy, S/o. D. Venkata Rami Reddy, Aged 44 working as Deputy Range Officer TTD, Tirumala. years ...Petitioner AND 1. The State of Andhra Pradesh, Rep by its Special Chief Secretary to Government Environment, Forests, Science and Technology Department, A.P. Secretariat, Velagapudi, Amaravati, Guntur District. 2. The State of Andhra Pradesh, Rep.by its PrI. Secretary to Government Water Resources Department, A.P. Secretariat, Velagapudi Amaravati, Guntur District. 3. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Head of Forests, , PVS Land Mark, Industrial Park Mangalagiri, Guntur District. 4. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Guntur Circle, Guntur.AP ...Respondents praying that in the Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue an appropriate Writ, Order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the 2ndrespondent in issuing the impugned G.O.Rt.Nos. 1671, 1678,1685, 1699 and 1722 Water Resource (Vig-III-2) Department, dated 12.07.2022, as illegal, arbitary, void ab-initio, without jurisdiction and in violation of Articles Id, 16 and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently set aside the impugned G.O.Rt.Nos.1671, 1678, 1685, 1699 and 1722 Water Resource(Vig-ll l-2) Department, dt. 12.07.2022, issued by the 2ndrespondent and direct the respondents to promote the petitioner to the post of Forest Range Officer without reference to and withotut tailing into consideration of the charges. lA NO: 1 OF 2024 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 1 and 3, to consider the petitioner's case for promotion to the post of Forest Range Officer by suspending the G.O.Rt.Nos.1671, 1678, 1685, 1699 and 1722 Water Resource(Vig-lll-2) Department, dated 12.07.2022 issue^ by the 2nd respondent, pending disposal of the writ / petition. '' 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 here in to consider the petitioner for promotion to the post of Forest Range Officer without reference to and without taking into consideration of the charges in G.O.Rt.No.s,1671,1678.1685.1699 and 1722 Water Resource(Vig-lll-2) departnnent.dt.12.07.2022issued by the 2 respondent nd Counsel for the Petitioner: SRI MANOJ KUMAR BETHAPUDI Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR SERVICES I The Court made the following order: 1 APHC010041962024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3460] WEDNESDAY.THE SIXTH DAY OF AUGUST TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 4877/2024 Between: D Raghurami Reddy ...PETITIONER AND ...RESPONDENT(S) The State Of Andhra Pradesh and Others Counsel for the Petitioner: 1.MANOJ KUMAR BETHAPUDI Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1.GP FOR SERVICES I (AP) The Court made the following: 2 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 4877/2094 The present Writ Petition is filed to declare the action of the 2 respondent in issuing the impugned G.O.Rt.Nos. 1671, 1678,1685, 1699 and 1722 Water Resource (Vig-lll-2) Department, dated 12.07.2022, as illegal and arbitrary 2. The facts leading to filing of the present Writ Petition are as follows; The Petitioner was initially appointed as Forest Section Officer and thereafter he was promoted as Deputy Range Officer. The next available post for promotion to the Petitioner is Forest Range Officer. While so, Charge Memos were issued to the Petitioner vide G.O.R.T.Nos.1671, 1678 1685, 1699 and 1722, dated 12.07.2022 wherein solitary articles of charge were framed against the Petitioner under Rule 20 of the A.P. Civil Services (CC & A), Rules, 1991. Though the Petitioner had explanation to the said Charge Memos, the submitted his same were pending. 3. The Articles of Charge were that the Petitioner had recommended payment for inferior quality of cement work in construction of check dam and concrete caused loss to the 2 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 4877/2024 The present Writ Petition is filed to declare the action of the 2^"' respondent in issuing the impugned G.O.Rt.Nos. 1671, 1678,1685, 1699 and 1722 Water Resource (Vig-ill-2) Department, dated 12.07.2022, as illegal and arbitrary. 2. The facts leading to filing of the present Writ Petition are as follows: The Petitioner was initially appointed as Forest Section Officer and thereafter he was promoted as Deputy Range Officer. The next available post for promotion to the Petitioner is Forest Range Officer. While so, Charge Memos were issued to the Petitioner vide G.O.R.T.Nos.1671, 1678, 1685, 1699 and 1722, dated 12.07.2022 wherein solitary articles of charge were framed against the Petitioner under Rule 20 of the A.P. Civil Services (CO & A), Rules, 1991. Though the Petitioner had submitted his explanation to the said Charge Memos, the same were pending. 3. The Articles of Charge were that the Petitioner had recommended payment for inferior quality of cement concrete work in construction of check dam and caused loss to the % Government exchequer in violation of Government Norms and Neeru-Chettu guidelines. 4. Learned counsel for the Petitioner would submit that the work undertaken was principally by the Water Resources Department and the entire work including tenders in construction of check dam was undertaken by the employees of Water Resources Department and the role of the Petitioner in the work was only to supervise. While so, the Respondent/State which had initiated disciplinary enquiry against 386 Engineers/Officers in the Water Resources Department with regard to the had issued G.O.R.T.No.100 Water Resources Department, dated 11.03.2025 dropping the disciplinary very same works, (Vig.ll (V&E) action against all the 386 Engineers of Water Resources Department and therefore, the same may be extended to the Petitioner. 5. Sri S. Raju, learned Assistant Government Pleader would submit that for passing the proceedings against the Petitioner and similarly situated employees working i the Forest Department, proposals were sent to the Government on 21.07.2025 to take in necessary action on par with G.O.R.T.No.100, dated 11.03.2025 and the issue is pending before the Government. 4 6. The grievance of the Petitioner to file the present Writ Petition is on account of the fact that promotions are being denied to the post of Forest Range Officer and the Charge Memos issued in the year 2022 is coming in the way for considering the case of the Petitioner for promotion. \, Flaving heard the respective counsel and taking note of the fact that 386 Officers in Water Resources Department have been exonerated from the disciplinary proceedings and the recommendation proposal sent by the Forest Department to drop disciplinary proceedings against the Petitioner and similarly placed on 21.07.2025, the Petitioner ought to be considered for promotion. Therefore, this Court is of the opinion that the present Writ Petition can be disposed of with the following direction: i) The Respondent Authorities are directed to consider the 7. case of the Petitioner for promotion to the Post of Forest Range Officer without reference to the Charge Memos issued video G.O.Rt.Nos.1671, 1678,1685, 1699 and 1722 Water Resource (Vig- III-2) Department, dated 12.07.2022. 5 & (ii) There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, miscellaneous stand closed. \ petitions, pending if any, shall Sd/- K KASIRAO ACHARI ASSISTANT REGISTRAR //TRUE COPY// i SECTION OFFICER To, 1- The Special Chief Secretary to Government Environment ndhra Pradesh, Forests, Science and Technology Department, A.P. Guntur District. Water Resources Department, State Secretariat, Velagapudi Amaravati State of Secretariat, Velagapudi, Amaravati, 2. The PrI. Secretary to Government of Andhra Pradesh, A.P. District. , Guntur 3. The Principal Chief Conservato r of Forests Head of Forests - District, r of Forests, Guntur Circle, Guntur.AP ■ One CC to Sri. Manoj Kumar Bethapudi Advocate [OPUC] 6. Two CCS to GP for Services I, 7. Two CD Copies PVS Land Mark, Industrial Park Mangalagiri, Guntur 4. The Chief Conservato » » High Court of Andhra Pradesh [OUT] GSC a* high court DATED;06/08/2025 \ ORDER WP NO. 4877 OF 2024 g( 2 I AUG 2025 o>! DISPOSING THE WP WITHOUT COSTS