APHC010528652026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3460] WEDNESDAY, THE 7th DAY OF OCTOBER 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 28883/2026 Between: 1. G. GOWTHAM THEJ, S/O. LATE G. UVARAJULU NAIDU, AGED 34 YEARS, OCC SENIOR ASSISTANT (UNDER SUSPENSION), SUB-COLLECTORS OFFICE, MADANAPALLE, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT, R/O D.NO. 6-388/6, SRI NAGAR COLONY, PALAMANER, CHITTOOR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH 517408. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, REVENUE (VIGILANCE -I) DEPARTMENT, A.P. SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT 522238. 2. THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF LAND ADMINISTRATION CCLA, A.P., APIIC TOWERS, IT PARK, MANGALAGIRI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH 522503. 3. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR AND DISTRICT MAGISTRATE, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT AT RAYACHOTI / MADANAPALLE, ANDHRA PRADESH 517325. 4. THE SUBCOLLECTOR / REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, MADANAPALLE DIVISION, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH 517325. 2 ...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 topleased to issue a Writ, Order, or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS declaring the proceedings issued by Respondent No. 3 (District Collector and District Magistrate, Annamayya District) vide Rc.No.A1/2001/2024 dated 02.09.2026, rejecting the Petitioners claim for reinstatement and continuing his suspension indefinitely until further orders despite the lapse of the mandatory one (1) year outer limit, as illegal, arbitrary, perverse, in direct violation of paragraph 5 of G.O.Ms.No. 22, General Administration (Ser-C) Department, dated 29.02.2024, contrary to Rule 8 of the A.P. Civil Services (CC and A) Rules, 1991, and infringing Articles 14, 21, and 309 of the Constitution of India, and consequently set aside the impugned rejection proceedings in Rc.No.A1/2001/2024 dated 02.09.2026, and direct the Respondents to immediately reinstate the Petitioner into service as Senior Assistant with all consequential, monetary, and attendant service benefits, and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2026 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 pleased to suspend the operation of the impugned proceedings in Rc.No.A1/2001/2024 dated:- 02.09.2026 passed by Respondent No. 3 and direct the Respondents to reinstate the Petitioner into service as Senior Assistant pending disposal of the main Writ Petition, and pass IA NO: 2 OF 2026 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 pleased to direct the Respondents to forthwith supply all the foundational basis documents listed in Annexure-III of the Charge Memo (G.O.Rt.No. 812 dated:- 14.11.2024), including the Preliminary Enquiry Report dated:- 25.07.2024, Memo dated: 30.07.2024, and Tahsildar File Ref. No. N20/2024 dated:- 29.01.2024, and consequently stay all further departmental inquiry proceedings pursuant to G.O.Rt.No. 812 dated:- 14.11.2024, G.O.Rt.No. 484 dated:- 30.03.2026, and Inquiry Notices in 3 Ref. No. A1/2001/2024 until the said documents are supplied to the Petitioner, pending disposal of the main Writ Petition, and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. RAJENDRA C Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR SERVICES I The Court made the following: 4 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION No.28883 of 2026 ORDER: 1. The present Writ Petition is filed questioning the proceedings issued by Respondent No.3 vide Rc.No.A1/2001/2024, dated 02.09.2026, rejecting the claim of the Petitioner for reinstatement and continuing the Petitioner under suspension, despite lapse of one year, as illegal and arbitrary. 2. The Petitioner was initially appointed as a Junior Assistant on compassionate grounds in the year 2017 and later was promoted to the post of Senior Assistant in the year 2020. He has been discharging his duties as such ever since and was posted to work at the Sub- Collector Office, Madanapalle. While so, the Petitioner was suspended from service on 30.07.2024 in connection with the allegations arising out of a fire accident that occurred in the office of the Sub-Collector, Madanapalle, which led to the burning of crucial revenue records/files pertaining to dotted lands, D-Pattas of lands and 22-A(1) denotification. It was submitted that the suspension of the Petitioner has been continued since 30.07.2024. 3. Thereafter, the Petitioner had filed W.P.No.21618 of 2026 before this Court, and this Court had disposed of the said Writ Petition by 5 directing the Respondents therein to review the order of suspension, dated 30.07.2024 passed against the Petitioner in terms of G.O.Ms.No.22, General Administration (Ser-C) Department, dated 29.02.2024. Pursuant thereto, the impugned order was passed by the Respondents, continuing the suspension of the Petitioner, considering the nature of the allegations, the gravity of the charges and the pending departmental enquiry initiated against him. Aggrieved by the same, the present Writ Petition is filed. 4. Learned counsel for the Petitioner submitted that keeping an individual under suspension for a longer period itself amounts to punishment and sought interference by this Court. It was further submitted that the Petitioner has been under suspension since July 2024 and that the departmental enquiry initiated against the Petitioner has made no progress. In the alternative, learned counsel for the Petitioner seeks for expeditious conclusion of the departmental enquiry initiated against the Petitioner. 5. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services–I submitted that the charges levelled against the Petitioner are grave in nature, relating to the burning of crucial revenue records/files pertaining to dotted lands, D-Pattas of lands and 22-A(1) denotification, and that the role of the Petitioner requires to be examined. Considering the 6 sensitivity and gravity of the matter, the suspension of the Petitioner is being continued by the Respondent-Authorities. 6. Heard Sri Chandragiri Rajendra, learned counsel for the Petitioner as well as learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services – I. 7. In the impugned order, dated 02.09.2026, the District Collector of Annamayya District reasoned that there is a requirement to keep the Petitioner under suspension on account of the nature and gravity of the charges and the sensitivity of the issue involving the burning of crucial revenue records/files pertaining to dotted lands, D-Pattas of lands and 22-A(1) denotification, in order to conduct an effective and impartial enquiry. It is also mentioned that, if the Petitioner is permitted to resume his duties, there would be a threat of interference with the disciplinary enquiry initiated against him, particularly in view of the nature of the allegations, and therefore, the suspension of the Petitioner is being continued. 8. The reasons given by the District Collector, Annamayya District, cannot be found fault with. However, the alternative submission of the learned counsel for the Petitioner has merit for consideration. As it was brought to the notice of this Court that an Enquiry Officer and a 7 Presenting Officer were appointed vide G.O.Rt.No.484, Revenue (Vigilance.I) Department, dated 30.03.2026,considering the same, this Writ Petition is disposed of with the following directions:- (i) The order of suspension passed against the Petitioner is not interfered. (ii) The departmental enquiry initiated against the Petitioner vide G.O.Rt.No.812, Revenue (Vigilance-I) Department, dated 14.11.2024 by the Respondent- Authorities shall be concluded, taking note of the timeline fixed under G.O.Ms.No.91, General Administration (Ser-C) Department, dated 12.09.2022. 9. No order as to costs. 10. As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions, pending if any, shall stand closed. ________________________ JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY Date: 07.10.2026 chs 8 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY 133 WRIT PETITION No.28883 of 2026 Dated:07.10.2026 chs