APHC010055122026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI W.P(PIL).No.29 of 2026 Bench Sr.No:-20 [3552] Krothapalli Nagendra Chowdary ...Petitioner Vs. The State of Andhra Pradesh and others ...Respondents ********** Advocate for petitioner : Sri K. V. Aditya Chowdary Advocate for respondents : Learned Government Pleader for Revenue, learned Government Pleader for Mines and Geology CORAM : THE CHIEF JUSTICE DHIRAJ SINGH THAKUR SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN DATE : 4th February 2026 P C : The issue that has been highlighted in the present Public Interest Litigation is with regard to the methodology adopted by the private respondent No.11 – M/s. B. K. Constructions in excavating sand through use of machinery like JCBs, excavators etc., which is stated to be prohibited in terms of the proceedings dated 29.12.2025 and in particular Clause 8, which mandates that the appointed agency shall ensure that the sand is excavated manually from the reaches and further that the usage of machinery such as poclain, JCB etc., within the reach is strictly prohibited and should not be used. 2 2. Another specific condition as envisaged in Clause 11 is that the excavation activity has to be undertaken only between 6:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. 3. Photographs have been placed on record, which indicate that some activity was being undertaken during night time and that too, by the use of heavy machinery like JCBs. 4. We are not sure as to whether the photographs which are annexed to the petition do support and buttress the claim of the petitioner or actually belong to respondent No.11 or not, yet, this should be a matter to be considered by the concerned authorities who are placed in charge of the Regulation with regard to the mining activity as also the District Collector. 5. We are informed that the license granted in favour of respondent No.11 is to expire on 07.02.2026 i.e., in the next three days. However, in case there has been any violation and if the sand policy does envisage any penalty to be imposed if it is found that there is any violation of the terms and conditions of the license of the sand policy, it would be open to the official respondents to take appropriate action strictly in accordance with the Regulations and the policy. 6. Accordingly, the Writ Petition (PIL) is disposed of. No order as to costs. 3 Miscellaneous Petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. DHIRAJ SINGH THAKUR, CJ CHALLA GUNARANJAN, J AMD 4 10 HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE DHIRAJ SINGH THAKUR, CHIEF JUSTICE & HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN W.P(PIL).No.29 of 2026 Dt:04.02.2026 AMD