APHC010554972011 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3333] WEDNESDAY, THE 9th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE V.SUJATHA WRIT PETITION NO: 30382/2011 Between: 1. RAHUL A MANTHALKAR, S/O. ATUL VASANTRAO MANTHALKAR SERVICE R/O. 77, RAILWAY LINES SOLAPUR, MAHARASHTRA. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAMS, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE BUILDINGS, K.T.ROAD, CHITTOOR DISTRICT 2. THE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER TEMPLE, TIRUMALA TIRUPATI DEVASTHANAMS, TIRUMALA, CHITTOOR DISTRICT ...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 to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of writ of mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in issuing the order vide proceedings No.P3/152/AEO(ARJ)/TML/2011 dated 12.08.2011 in cancelling the remaining Arjita Seva Ticket from 2011 to 2040 issued to the petitioner, as illegal, arbitrary, capricious and in violation of the principles of natural justice and consequently quash the same IA NO: 1 OF 2011(WPMP 37634 OF 2011 2 VS,J W.P.No.30382 of 2011 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 suspend the order vide proceedings No. P3/152/AEO(ARJ)/TML/2011 dated 12.08.2011 in cancelling the remaining Arjita Seva Ticket issued to the petitioner, and direct the respondent to continue with the Arjitha Seva pending disposal of the writ petition Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. AADESH VARMA Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. C SRINIVASA BABA The Court made the following: 3 VS,J W.P.No.30382 of 2011 ORDER: This Writ Petition came to be filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking the following prayer: “…to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of writ of mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in issuing the order vide proceedings No.P3/152/AEO(ARJ)/TML/2011 dated 12.08.2011 in cancelling the remaining Arjita Seva Ticket from 2011 to 2040 issued to the petitioner, as illegal, arbitrary, capricious and in violation of the principles of natural justice and consequently quash the same…” 2. The petitioner herein claims to be a devotee of Lord Venkateswara; in the year 1980, the respondents started selling limited tickets for the Arjitha Sevas to a limited percentage of total number of tickets. In terms of the decision taken by the respondent, the petitioner booked tickets for Arjitha Seva up to the year 2040. 3. While the matter stood thus, the respondents, vide proceedings bearing Roc.No.P3/152/AEO(Arj)/Tml/2011, dated 14.05.2011 alleged that the petitioner booked Arjitha Seva tickets for several years by mentioning third party address and that it is causing serious prejudice to several devotees; that the respondents resolved to streamline and regulate the sevas to provide equal opportunity to larger devotee public, as a part of which, it was proposed to cancel the rest of the seva tickets by refunding 4 VS,J W.P.No.30382 of 2011 the money; informing thus, the petitioner was directed to submit objection, if any, for the action proposed to be initiated by the respondent, within a period of seven days. Pursuant to such proceedings, the petitioner submitted a representation on 26.05.2011 stating that he purchased the Arjitha seva tickets to have darshan of lord Venkateswara and that there is no other intent. However, without considering the reply submitted by the petitioner, the respondent authorities vide the impugned proceedings dated 12.08.2011 cancelled all the Arjitha seva tickets issued to the petitioner and directed the petitioner to furnish all the original Arjitha seva tickets issued in his favour so as to refund the amount to the petitioner. Aggrieved by the same, the present writ petition is filed. 4. Perused the entire material available on record. During the course of arguments, learned Standing Counsel submitted that the respondent administration noticed that some persons have been making advance reservations and blocking Arjitha Seva tickets for several years, in some cases up to the year 2040. Therefore, in the larger interest of pilgrims and devotees and to regulate the Darshan and Seva system, the respondent decided to restrict the number of tickets that one person could book. The prescribed limits were 1 Melchat Vastram, 5 tickets for Poornabhishekam, Civet Vessel, Kasturi Vessel, Thomala and Archana, and 2 tickets for Astadala Pada Padmarachana, Sahasra 5 VS,J W.P.No.30382 of 2011 Kalasabhishekam and Thiruppavada Sevas. If any excess bookings in the same or similar name/address were found, the same were proposed to be cancelled and the amount shall be refunded. In the case on hand, the petitioner had ]made en-bloc bookings of prime Arjitha sevas for several years up to the year 2040, thereby causing prejudice to other devotees and depriving them of an opportunity to attend the Sevas. Therefore, the respondents issued a notice to the petitioner proposing cancellation of the excess tickets and called for his objection, if any. 5. Learned Standing Counsel further contended that as the petitioner failed to submit any objection within the stipulated time, the competent authority, vide the impugned proceedings dated 12.08.2011 cancelled all the Arjitha seva tickets issued to the petitioner up to the year 2040 and directed him to furnish all the original seva tickets so as to enable the respondent to refund the amount. Learned Standing Counsel contended that without raising any objection pursuant to the show cause notice issued to him and without approaching the respondents with all the original seva tickets, the petitioner has straightaway approached this Court. 6. Admittedly, based on a resolution passed by the respondent dated 20.01.2011, the petitioner was issued a show cause notice dated 14.05.2011 seeking objection for the proposed action of cancelling the 6 VS,J W.P.No.30382 of 2011 seva tickets issued in his favour. It is undisputed that the petitioner did not submit any explanation to the said show cause notice within seven days. The impugned proceedings were issued pursuant to the resolution of the respondent-administration, with the object of regulating the booking of Arjitha Seva tickets and ensuring that all pilgrims and devotees are provided a fair and equal opportunity to avail the Sevas. The petitioner was also afforded an opportunity to submit his objections to the proposed action; however, the petitioner failed to submit any objection within the stipulated period. In such circumstances, and having regard to the larger public interest and in the absence of any objection from the petitioner, this Court finds no sufficient ground to interfere with the impugned proceedings. However, the petitioner is at liberty to approach the concerned authorities of the respondents along with all the original seva tickets issued in his favour, seeking refund of the amount payable to him. 7. In the result, the writ petition is disposed of, directing the petitioner to furnish all the original seva tickets issued in his favour before the respondent seeking refund of the amount and upon furnishing such tickets, the concerned authority is directed to refund the amount to the petitioner as per the resolution dated 20.01.2011, in accordance with law. There shall be no order as to costs. 7 VS,J W.P.No.30382 of 2011 Consequently, Miscellaneous Petitions, if any, pending in this Petition shall stand closed. _____________________ JUSTICE V.SUJATHA 09.09.2026 Gss