APHC010003872026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3396] TUESDAY, THE SIXTH DAY OF JANUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA WRIT PETITION NO: 373/2026 Between: 1. SRI GOWRI SHANKARULA AALAYA UTSAVA COMMITTEE, REP BY ITS PRESIDENT KALLA NANAJI, S / O GANNIYYA, AGED 36 YEARS, D.NO.8-53, PANCHYATH STREET, SRIRANGAPATNAM- 533289, KORUKONDA MANDAL, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT. 2. POLAMARASETTI SATYANARAYANA,, S / O NARASIMHA MURTHY AGED 66 YEARS, D.NO.3-23, GANDHI BOMMA CENTRE, SRIRANGAPATNAM-533289, KORUKONDA MANDAL, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT. 3. POLAMARASETTI APPALARAJU,, S/O APPARAO, AGED 61 YEARS, SRIRANGAPATNAM-533289, KORUKONDA MANDAL, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT. 4. KALLA SIVA,, S/O JAGGARAO, AGED 30 YEARS, D.NO.5-64, PANCHYATH STREET, SRIRANGAP ATNAM- 5 33 2 89 , KORUKONDA MANDAL, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT. 5. POLAMARASETTI SIVARAMA KRISHNA, S / O SUBRAMANYAM, AGED 43 YEARS, D.NO.7-98, B.C COLONY, SRIRANGAPATNAM- 533289, KORUKONDA MANDAL, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT. 6. . SARAKANAM APPALARAJU,, S/O VEERRAJU, AGED 49 YEARS, D.NO.2-139, SIVALAYAM STREET, SRIRANGAPATNAM-533289, KORUKONDA MANDAL, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT. 7. DADI KRISHNA, S/O APPALAKONDA, AGED 45 YEARS, D.NO.6-13, NEAR RAMALAYAM, SRIRANGAPATNAM-533289, .. PETITIONERS 2 KORUKONDA MANDAL, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT. ...PETITIONER(S) AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS PRL. SECRETARY, HOME DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. 522238 2. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, RAJ AMAHENDRAVARAM. EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT.-533101 3. THE SDPO CUM CIRCLE INSPECTOR, KORUKONDA POLICE STATION, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT.533289 4. THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, KORUKONDA POLICE STATION, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT.-533289 ...RESPONDENT(S): Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 1. P RAJESH BABU Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR HOME 3 THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA WRIT PETITION NO: 373/2026 ORDER: This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India with the following prayer: <…to issue a Writ, Order or Direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action on the part of Respondent Nos.3 and 4 in not taking appropriate action upon the Representation dt.27-12-2025 made by the Petitioners seeking for providing permission for using mic in the Procession and Stage Programmes of Devotional and Cultural Events to be performed on 17-01-2026 for Lord Sri Gowri Shankarula Jathara (festival), at Srirangapatnam, Korukonda Mandal, East Godavari District, unlawful, arbitrary and in violation of Fundamental Rights of the petitioners guaranteed under Article 14, 19(g), 21 of Constitution of India, by consequently directing Respondent Nos. 2 to 4 to grant permission for using mic in the Procession and Stage Programmes of Devotional and Cultural Events to be performed on 17-01-2026 for Lord Sri Gowri Shankarula Jathara (festival), at Srirangapatnam, Korukonda Mandal, East Godavari District, as per the Representation dt.27-12-2025.…= 2. Heard Sri P.Rajesh Babu, learned counsel for the petitioners and Sri.P.Ajay Babu, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home for the respondents. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are the members of Sri Gowrishankar Temple Committee which is situated at Goravapeta, Palakollu Mandal. He would further submit that for the last over nine decades, the petitioners perform Sri Gowrishankarula Jathara every year during the pongal season. He would further submit that the petitioners obtain permission from the respondent-police for necessary police protection as the 4 procession includes music, dance and firecrackers as part of celebrations. Therefore, the petitioners have submitted a representation to the respondent- police dated 27.12.2025 for grant of permission for conducting procession and stage programmes and cultural events on 17.01.2026. But the respondent- police did not take any action on their representation. 4. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home, on instructions, would submit that the respondent-police have no objection for performing the Jathara, but during the jathara, large number of devotees participate and there may be a chance of conducting of inappropriate and objectionable shows under the guise of cultural programmes. He finally submits that the Court may pass appropriate Orders. 5. Considering the submissions, it is to be noted that the permission for using mike can be granted, provided the use is within the permissible limits as prescribed. However, if the police apprehend any violation or inappropriate activity, they may impose necessary conditions while granting permission. However, permission cannot be refused merely on assumptions. 6. In that view of the matter, this Writ Petition is disposed of directing the respondent Nos. 3 and 4 to take appropriate action on the representation made by the petitioners dated 27.12.2025, if necessary, by imposing certain conditions and obtaining an undertaking from the petitioners not to conduct any inappropriate activities in any form. No order as to costs. 5 As a sequel thereto, miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. _________________________________________ Dr. JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA Date: 06.01.2026. Note: Issue CC today, B/o. UPS 6 HON’BLE DR. JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA WRIT PETITION NO: 373/2026 Dated.06.01.2026 Note: Issue CC today, B/o. UPS 69