APHC010269052024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3327] WEDNESDAY, THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K SREENIVASA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO: 13490/2024 Between: 1. P.V.BHHADRRA RAO, S/O. SATHI RAJU, AGED 37 YEARS, OCC BUSINESS AND SOCIAL ACTIVIST, R/O D.NO. 1-161, GADIMOGA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, (ERSTWHILE EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT) KAKINADA,DISTRICTA-533463. ...PETITIONER A N D 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDING VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR, ANDHRA PRADESH -522237. 2. THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES FOR GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH, BANDAR ROAD, PORANKI, VIJAYAWADA, ANDHRA PRADESH - 521137. 3. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KAKINADA DISTRICT, KAKINADA, ANDHRA PRADESH -533001. 4. THE JOINT DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES, YETIMOGA, KAKINADA, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 5. THE TAHASILDAR, TALLAREVU REVENUE MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463. 6. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FISHERIES, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 7. THE FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 8. THE GADIMOGA GRAM PANCHAYAT, REP BY ITS SECRETARY GADIMOGA PANCHAYAT, GADIMOGA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 2 533463. 9. THE VILLAGE REVENUE OFFICER, GADIMOGA -2, CHINAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 10. THE SACHIVALAYAM SECRETARY, GADIMOGA -2, CHINAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463 . 11. THE FISHERIES ASSISTANT, GADIMOGA-2, CHINAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADADISTRICT-533463. 12. LANKE SRINU, S/O NOOKA RAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, D NO.4-43, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 13. LANKE NOOKA RAJU, S/O VEERAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, D.NO.4-43, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 14. LANKE SADGURUDU, S/O-NOOKA RAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, D.NO.4-43, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 15. LANKE RAMUDU, S/O VEERAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, D.NO.4- 50, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 16. LANKE RAMAKRISHNA, S/O RAMUDU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, D.NO.4-50, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 17. ARADADI LOKESH, S/O ADINARAYANA, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, D. NO 4-45, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 18. KAMADI GOVINDH KUMAR BABY, S/O GOVA RAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, D. NO 4-263, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 19. KAMADI SIMHADRA RAO, S/O GOVA RAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO. 4- 263, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 3 20. KAMADI GOVA RAJU, S/O MATHA RAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO 4- 263, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463. 21. PINAPOTHU LAKSHMI PRASAD, S/O GOVA RAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT R/O D. NO.4-53/1, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463 . 22. SERU PRASAD BABU, S/O APPA RAO, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, R/O D. NO. 4-69, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 23. SERU SIVAJI, S/O APPA RAO, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, R/O D. NO. 4-69, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 24. PINAPOTHU GANGADHARA VARAPRASAD, S/O GOVA RAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT R/O D. NO.4-53/1, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 25. PINAPOTHU GOVA RAJU, S/O DEVALLU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-53/1, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463 . 26. ARADADI RAGHAVA, W/O GANGA RAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4- 53/1 A, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463. 27. ARADADI TATA RAO, S/O SESHAYYA, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, R/O D. NO.4-45, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 28. ARADADI ADINARAYANA, S/O TATA RAO, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-45, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463 29. ARADADI JAYANARAYANA, S/O TATA RAO, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-45, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463 . 30. ARADADI KALYANA KRISHNA, S/O ADINARAYANA, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-45, SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 4 PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 31. ARADHADI NAGA BABU, , S/O SATYAM, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, R/O D. NO.4-49, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 32. ARADADI NAGESWARA RAO, , S/O JAGAPATHI RAO, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-47/A, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 33. MALLADI VEERA BABU, , S/O EDUKONDALU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-46, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463 . 34. MALLADI ANESH, S/O EDUKONDALU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, R/O D. NO.4-46, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 35. MALLADI EDUKONDALU, S/O PULLAYYA, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-46, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463 . 36. ARADADI RAMU, S/O JAGAPATHI RAO, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-46, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463 . 37. ARADADI NAGESWARA RAO, S/O NAGESWARA RAO, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-47/A, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 38. ARADADI VEERA BABU, , S/O RANGAYYA, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-51/A, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463 39. ARADADI NOOKA RAJU, S/O RANGAYYA, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4- 51/A, PEDAVAMSALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463. 40. ARADADI PARAMESH, , S/O TATA RAO, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, R/O D. NO.4-45, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 5 41. ARADADI RANGAYYA, S/O SAIBU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER,R/O D. NO.4-51/A, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 42. PEMMADI SRINU, S/O SATTI RAJQ, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN TO THE PETITIONER, R/O D. NO.4-69, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 43. LANKE UDAY KIRAN, , S/O RAMAKRISHNA, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-50, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463 . 44. ANKADI DEVAKI, W/O BHADRAYYA, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-41/5, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463 . 45. MALLADI MAHALAKSHMI, S/O MEERA SAHEB, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4- 71, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463. 46. POTHABATHULA SURYANARAYANA, S/O NARAYANA MURTHY, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-102, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT. 47. KAMADI KAMESWARA RAO, S/O NARASHIMHA MURTHY, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-179, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT. 48. CHEKKA LAKSHMANA SWAMY, S/O MOOLASWAMY, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-119, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT. 49. REAKADI RAMUDU, S/O KRISHNA, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-122, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463 . 50. LANKE SATYANARAYANA, S/O NARAYANA MURTHY, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-223, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463. 51. BODDU SATYANARAYANA, , S/O KAMA RAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4- 92, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463. SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 6 52. POTHABATHULA NARAYANA MURTHY, S/O KAMA RAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-102, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT. 53. VANMADI RAMUDU, S/O GANI RAJU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-131, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT-533463 54. MUMASANI VEER RAJU, S/O CHINTALU, AGED ABOUT NOT KNOWN, R/O D. NO.4-194, PEDAVALASALA VILLAGE, TALLAREVU MANDAL, KAKINADA DISTRICT- 533463 ...RESPONDENT(S): 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 more in the nature of Mandamus declaring the Rejection Order vide Proc. No.2401/A4/2020, dated 20-04-2024 with regard to Offshore Platform i.e.. GachakayalaPora-Katrenikona-I.Polavaram-Yanam- Gadimoga, the Petroleum and Natural Gas for the ineligible beneficiaries belongs to the Pedavalasala Village, Tallarevu Mandal, Kakinada District, in not consider the Petitioner Fresh Representation dated 23-03-2024 is illegal, arbitrary, violation of Principal of Fundamental Rights under the Constitution of India consequentely direct the official respondents to re-consider the Representation dated 23-03-2024 for recovery of the ONGC Compensation amount paid to the un-official respondents ineligible beneficiaries and further stop to the payment of 2nd installments for fishermen ineligible beneficiaries in connection with the Affected Area for construction of Pipeline, from Offshore Platform i.e., GachakayalaPora- Katrenikona-I.Polavaram-Yanam-Gadimoga, the Petroleum and Natural Gas for the beneficiaries belongs to the Pedavalasala Village, Tallarevu Mandal, Kakinada District IA 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 official respondents to further stop to the payment of Next installments for fishermen ineligible beneficiaries by taking necessary action on the representation dated 23-03-2024 submitted by Petitioner to take action for recovery of the ONGC Compensation amount paid to the SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 7 un-official respondents ineligible beneficiaries, in connection with the Affected Area for construction of Pipeline, from Offshore Platform i.e., GachakayalaPora-Katrenikona- I.Polavaram-Yanam- Gadimoga, the Petroleum & Natural Gas for the beneficiaries belongs to the Pedavalasala Village, Tallarevu Mandal, Kakinada District pending disposal of the above writ petition IA 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 May be pleased to Vacate the Interim order dated 01.07.2024 in W.P. No. 13490 of 2024 in the interest of justice and pass IA NO: 2 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 may be pleased to grant leave for filing the Reply Affidavit to the Counter Affidavit filed by the R-12 to 20, 24 to 26, 28 to 31,33 to 35 and 40,43 and R-50 in W.P. No. 13490/2024, in the interest of justice and pass IA NO: 3 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 may be pleased implead the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) rep by its Chairman and Managing Director, New Delhi and the Asset Manager, the Oil and Natural Gas th Corporation Limited (ONGC), Eastern Offshore Asset, ONGC, Kakinada as 55 and 56th respondents in the above Writ Petition by amending Main Cause Title and Short Cause Title and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. G SIMHADRI Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR REVENUE 2. GP FOR FISHERIES 3. SRINIVASA RAO MORTHA The Court made the following: SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 8 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K SREENIVASA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO: 13490/2024 O R D E R This Writ Petition is filed seeking the following relief: “to issue a writ, direction, order or more in the nature of Mandamus declaring the Rejection Order vide Proc.No.2401/A4/ 2020, dated 20.04.2024 in not considering the petitioner fresh representation, dated 23.03.2024 with regard to Offshore Platform i.e. Gachakayala Pora-Katrenikona-I.Polavaram-Yanam-Gadimoga, the Petroleum and Natural Gas for the ineligible beneficiaries belonged to Pedavalasala village, Tallarevu Mandal, Kakinada District, as illegal, arbitrary and violation of principle of Fundamental Rights and consequently to direct the official respondents to reconsider the representation, dated 23.03.2024 for recovery of ONGC compensation amount paid to the unofficial respondents ineligible beneficiaries and further, to stop payment of 2nd installment for fishermen ineligible beneficiaries…” 2. Contents of the affidavit filed by the Writ Petitioner in support of the Writ Petition, in brief, are that, the petitioner is resident of Gadimoga village, Tallarevu Mandal and he is a Law graduate; that the petitioner’s village is one of the affected areas by virtue of laying pipeline from Offshore platform and 2nd respondent took a decision for laying 20 feet pipeline from Offshore platform through mouth of Goutami River to ONGC onshore plant at SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 9 Mallavaram village, Tallarevu Mandal, erstwhile East Godavari District, as such, the ONGC authorities deposited huge amount towards compensation with the District Collector and the District Collector is responsible to pay compensation amount to the real beneficiaries. (b) In the process of payment of compensation to the fishermen, the subordinate staff under 3rd respondent i.e. respondent Nos.4 to 11 committed irregularities and paid compensation to ineligible fishermen i.e. respondent Nos.12 to 54; that aggrieved by the same, petitioner made representation on 10.06.2022 to 3rd respondent in Spandana, requesting to take action against respondent Nos.4 to 11 on the illegal acts done by them and pursuant to which, 5th respondent addressed a letter, dated 14.11.2023 to respondent Nos.6 and 7 directing to complete inquiry and to take action against illegal-ineligible beneficiaries in getting ONGC compensation amount but, till date no action was initiated. (c) Thereafter, petitioner got issued legal notice on 19.08.2022 to the respondents for which, 7th respondent submitted a reply, dated 10.10.2022 to the petitioner stating that the Village Level Committee submitted their report and stated that, no SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 10 deviation of guidelines took place during the selection of beneficiaries of ONGC compensation, as such, petitioner got issued rejoinder, dated 10.11.2022 enclosing the list of illegal beneficiaries, but no action was initiated; that in spite of submitting representations on 10.06.2022 and 13.11.2023 and even though legal notices dated 19.08.2022, 10.11.2022 and 01.12.2022 were got issued, no action was being initiated against the respondents, as such, petitioner got filed Writ Petition No.30968 of 2023 seeking the relief to direct the official respondents to take action on the representations and to recover the ONGC compensation amount paid to the unofficial respondents and further, to stop payment of 2nd installment for fishermen ineligible beneficiaries. (d) This Court vide Order, dated 04.12.2023 disposed of Writ Petition No.30968 of 2023, directing the petitioner to make fresh representation to 3rd respondent-District Collector and 3rd respondent-District Collector was directed to pass appropriate orders within a period of three (03) weeks in accordance with law. Pursuant to the said order, petitioner made fresh representation on 23.03.2024 to 3rd respondent and 3rd respondent vide Proc. No.2401/A4/2020, dated 20.04.2024 passed orders holding that the representation of petitioner deserves no consideration and not SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 11 tenable and petition filed by the petitioner was rejected. The contention that some of the beneficiaries are the Income Tax Payers was negatived only on the ground that they are below poverty line families. Hence, the petitioner filed the present Writ Petition to reconsider the representation, dated 23.03.2024 for recovery of ONGC compensation amount paid to the ineligible unofficial respondents and stop payment of 2nd installment. 3. This Court vide Order, dated 01.07.2024 passed interim Order directing the respondents not to pay the next installment for fishermen ineligible beneficiaries for a period of six (06) weeks. The said interim direction has been extended from time to time. 4. Respondent No.3 filed counter-affidavit denying the contents of the Writ Petition, inter alia contended that appropriate action was taken on the petitioner’s representation, dated 23.03.2024 and after conducting thorough inquiry by the team of officials, 3rd respondent rejected the plea of petitioner; that M/s.ONGC agreed to pay suitable compensation to the affected fishermen of 69 villages of 8 Mandals including 15 villages of Tallarevu Mandal at the rate of Rs.460/- per day for 25 days in a month up to completion of project and 3rd respondent approved SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 12 modalities for identification of affected fishermen including single fisher women, having minor children or no children; that the enumeration of affected fishermen was taken up on 15.03.2021 in the presence of Village Level Committee consisting of the Village Revenue Officer, the Secretary of Village Secretariat, the Village Fisheries Assistant and the Mandal Level Committee consisting of the Tahsildar, the MPDO, the Fisheries Development Officer/ Assistant Inspector of Fisheries to pay the compensation by M/s.ONGC; that thereafter, list of eligible beneficiaries was displayed in the Notice Board of concerned Panchayat on 25.03.2021 by calling objections in writing, with proofs, if any, on or before 29.03.2021, wherein, no objections were received from the petitioner against the eligibility of beneficiaries/unofficial respondents belonged to Pedavalasala village of Tallarevu Mandal. (b) The eligible list of beneficiaries was also kept in the website of erstwhile East Godavari District by calling objections if any, from 10.11.2021 to 18.11.2021 and special counters in the Tahsildar Office, from 10.11.2021 to 18.11.2021, were opened for receiving objections on payment, but no objections were received from the petitioner; that after resolving the grievances received from the public, the list of beneficiaries was finalized to be SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 13 compensated by M/s. ONGC and the same was approved by 3rd respondent and thereafter, M/s. ONGC released compensation for 24 months (28.01.2022 to 27.01.2024) to the affected beneficiaries i.e. in 4 spells as per agreement and amount was paid to 7050 beneficiaries in five spells. Pursuant to the Order, dated 04.12.2023 in Writ Petition No.30968 of 2023, petitioner made fresh representation to 3rd respondent on 01.01.2024 requesting to take action on 298 beneficiaries; that the petitioner submitted another petition on 23.03.2024 against the same beneficiaries with same contents and having regard to the Order, dated 04.12.2023 passed by this Court in Writ Petition No.30968 of 2023, 3rd respondent after thorough inquiry, passed orders vide Proc.No.2401/A4/2020, dated 20.04.2024, rejecting the petition of petitioner. Prior to passing of interim order, dated 01.07.2024, the entire process of compensating 7050 eligible beneficiaries of Tallarevu Mandal by M/s.ONGC for a period of 24 months in 5 spells was already completed and there are no dues. Hence, it is prayed to vacate the interim order, dated 01.07.2024 passed by this Court in Writ Petition No.13490 of 2024 and dismiss the Writ Petition. SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 14 5. The contents of the counter-affidavit filed by respondent No.7 runs on the same line as that of the contents of counter-affidavit filed by respondent No.3. 6. Respondent Nos.12 to 20, 24 to 26, 28 to 31, 33 to 35 and 40, 43 and 50 filed counter-affidavit contending that the Writ Petition is not maintainable as the petitioner has no locus-standi. They are eligible for compensation as per the norms prescribed by the ONGC as well as the official respondents, and the representation submitted by petitioner was answered by 3rd respondent vide Proc.No.2401/A4/2020, dated 20.04.2024 and there is no infirmity or illegality in passing the impugned order. There is no irregularity or illegality in recognizing the unofficial respondents as beneficiaries, as such, it cannot be challenged under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. The petitioner is a chronic litigant and he filed O.S.No.1151 of 2022 on the file of the I Additional Junior Civil Judge, Kakinada against the respondents and family members of unofficial respondents seeking eviction from schedule property and for Mandatory Injunction against the official respondents to cancel Possession Certificate with false and frivolous allegation making false claim in order to get wrongful gain; that the petitioner is no way concerned with the compensation paid SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 15 to the unofficial respondents and he is not at all an interested party; that the petitioner has no vested right to deny or to stop compensation being paid to the unofficial respondents and is against the principles of natural justice. Hence, it is prayed to vacate the interim Order, dated 01.07.2024 and dismiss the Writ Petition. 7. Petitioner filed reply-affidavits to the counter-affidavits filed by respondent Nos.3, 7, and respondent Nos.12 to 20, 24 to 26, 28 to 31, 33 to 35 and 40, 43 and 50, reiterating the contents of the affidavit in the Writ Petition. In addition to that, it is contended that there is no documentary proof with regard to the modalities followed by respondent Nos.3 to 11 in identifying the beneficiaries; that the petitioner has got personal interest in the proceedings as he was trying to apply for compensation amount, however, the respondents rejected the claim of petitioner stating that the petitioner is a Law student and thereafter, he is not entitle to claim. Hence, it is prayed to recover 5 installment amounts from the unofficial respondents. 8. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Pleader for Fisheries representing respondent Nos.1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 11, learned Government Pleader for Revenue SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 16 representing respondent Nos.3, 5, 9 and 10, learned Standing Counsel for Panchayat representing respondent No.8 and learned counsel for respondent Nos.12 to 20, 24 to 26, 28 to 31, 33 to 35 and 40, 43 and 50 and perused the entire material available on record. 9. Learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that subsequent to passing of Order, dated 04.12.2023 by this Court in Writ Petition No.30968 of 2023, the petitioner made fresh representation to 3rd respondent-District Collector on 13.11.2023 to recover the ONGC compensation amount paid to the unofficial ineligible respondents and further, to stop payment of 2nd installment to them in connection with affected area for construction of ONGC pipeline in Pedavalasala village, Tallarevu Mandal of Kakinada district. But, respondent No.3 without conducting proper inquiry with regard to entitlement of respondent Nos.12 to 54 to the compensation from M/s. ONGC company, though they are Income Tax Payers, negatived the contention of petition and rejected the same. 10. Learned Government Pleader for Fisheries and learned Government Pleader for Revenue representing respondent Nos.7 and 3, respectively would contend that the petitioner has no SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 17 locus standi to maintain the proceedings, and 3rd respondent, after conducting thorough inquiry by its team of officials, rejected the petition of petitioner. It is further contended that they identified the affected fishermen by following modalities and there were no objections when the list of eligible beneficiaries were displayed in the Notice Board either from the petitioner or from any quarter and subsequently, the list of beneficiaries was finalized and the compensation amount was paid in 4 spells. 11. Learned counsel for contesting unofficial respondents would contend that there is no infirmity or illegality in passing the impugned order by 3rd respondent and there is no irregularity or illegality in recognizing the unofficial respondents as beneficiaries. Learned counsel would further contend that the petitioner filed O.S.No.1151 of 2022 on the file of the I Additional Junior Civil Judge, Kakinada against the respondents and family members of unofficial respondents seeking eviction of schedule property and for Mandatory Injunction, and though he has nothing to do with the claim, only in order to gain wrongfully, he is trying to stop compensation being paid to the unofficial respondents. 12. It is an admitted fact that pursuant to the Order passed by this Court on 04.12.2023 in Writ Petition No.30968 of 2023, SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 18 petitioner made a fresh representation on 27.12.2023 to 3rd respondent alleging that 298 ONGC beneficiaries of Pedavalasala village of Gadimoga Gram Panchayat, Tallarevu Mandal are not eligible for compensation, as they are Income Tax Payers, Businessmen, Own Vehicle-holders, Drivers, doing Private Jobs and other works, Pensioners, Age Tampering, Ration Card Tampering, Non-Local, Prawn & Fish Farmers, Crew Members, Students, Volunteers, Politicians, Unregistered Boats, Boats with maximum crew and Non-Fishing activity. 13. A perusal of the proceedings of 3rd respondent vide Proc.No.2401/A4/2020, dated 20.04.20204 goes to show that as a part of inquiry, a meeting was convened by the Assistant Director of Fisheries, Tallarevu with 298 ONGC beneficiaries along with Fisheries Development Officer, Tallarevu Mandal on 11.01.2024, wherein, the petitioner’s plea that the 298 persons are ineligible beneficiaries as they are Income Tax Payers etc., was inquired and concluded that out of 298 beneficiaries, some of the beneficiaries comes under below poverty line and other beneficiaries comes under the category of affected area as per the modalities issued by 3rd respondent. A perusal of report further goes to show that the list of eligible beneficiaries was displayed in the Notice Board of Gram SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 19 Panchayat, concerned on 25.03.2021 by calling for objections. Apparently, no objection was raised by the petitioner within the stipulated time. It is pertinent to mention that the list of beneficiaries was also displayed and also special counters were opened in the Talshildar office concerned at Mandal Level from 10.11.2021 to 18.11.2021, but then also, no objections were received either from the petitioner or from any quarter, and thereby, the list was finalized for ONGC compensation and got approved by 3rd respondent and got released the compensation in 5 spells and transferred the same into the bank accounts of respective beneficiaries. It is also apparent from the report that the list of unofficial respondents and other beneficiaries which comes to 298, was inquired by the team of officials consisting Village Level Committee, Gadimoga village of Tallarevu Mandal, the Fisheries Development Officer, Tallarevu Mandal, the Assistant Director of Fisheries, Tallarevu Mandal and the said committee confirmed that all the 298 beneficiaries are eligible for compensation as per the norms and modalities communicated to them vide Proceedings No.3798/A4/2020, dated 03.03.2021 by 3rd respondent. Therefore, the team of officials conducted thorough inquiry into the matter pursuant to fresh representation made by the petitioner. The petitioner has no locus SRK, J W.P.No.13490 of 2024 20 standi to approach this Court with this Writ Petition praying the Court to recover the compensation amount that was paid to the unofficial respondents. If really the respondent Nos.12 to 54 are not the real beneficiaries and they fraudulently received the amount from M/s. ONGC company, the real beneficiaries would not keep silent till now and they might have approached the Court concerned for safeguarding their interest. Therefore, this Court is of the firm opinion that there are no merits in the Writ Petition and it deserved to be dismissed. 14. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is dismissed. The interim Order, dated 01.07.2024, directing the respondents not to pay the next installments for fishermen-ineligible beneficiaries, stands vacated. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, miscellaneous applications pending if any, shall also stand closed. JUSTICE K. SREENIVASA REDDY 15th October, 2025. DNB