APHC010083682026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3208] THURSDAY,THE NINETEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE D RAMESH WRIT PETITION NO: 4846/2026 Between: 1. A.V. RAMANA MURTHY, S/O. A. RAMA RAO, AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, OCC. SENIOR FACULTY, A.P STATE FOREST ACADEMY, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, R/O FLAT NO. 609, M K GOLD COAST APARTMENTS, YENDADA, VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH - 530045. 2. R.V.R VASANTHA, D/O. R. RAMU NAIDU, AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS, OCC. FOREST BEAT OFFICER, NALLAKONDA BEAT, PUDIMADAKA SECTION, ANAKAPALLI RANGE, ANAKAPALLI DIVISION, ANAKAPALLI DISTRICT, R/O 3-55, B.C. COLONY, KORUVADA VILLAGE, K. KOTAPADU MANDAL, VISAKHAPATNAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH - 531022. 3. B. RAJA, S/O. B. GANGARAJU (LATE), AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, OCC. FOREST BEAT OFFICER, DUWADA BEAT, GAJUWAKA SECTION, VISAKHAPATNAM RANGE, VISAKHAPATNAM DIVISION VISAKHAPATNAM DISTRICT, R/O 24-57-3, MIG 2 B-77, VINAYAKA NAGAR, VUDA COLONY, PEDAGANTYADA, VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH - 530044. 4. V.V.S.K. VARMA, , S/O. V. KANNAMA RAJU, AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS, OCC. DEPUTY RANGE OFFICER, VANTLAMAMIDI SECTION, JEENABADU RANGE, PADERU DIVISION, ASR DISTRICT, R/O 9-41, NGGOS COLONY, OLD ADAVIVARAM, SIMHACHALAM, VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH - 530028 5. K. ESWARA RAO,, S/O. K. KONDALA RAO, AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS, OCC. ASSISTANT BEAT OFFICER (CONTRACT BASIS) PANGIDI BEAT, ANAKAPALLI SECTION, ANAKAPALLI RANGE, ANAKAPALLI DIVISION, ANAKAPALLI DISTRICT, R/O H.NO. 24-20, GOVINDA RAO COLONY, WARD-14, KASIMKOTA MANDLAM, KASIMKOTA, VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH - 531031. 6. P. ANJANEYA RAJU,, S/O. P. ATCHYUTHA RAMA RAJU, AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS, OCC. FOREST RANGE OFFICER (RETD.), R/O. 50-117-11/2, PLOT NO.148, NORTH EXTENSION, NEAR LIONS CANCER HOSPITAL, SEETHAMMADHARA, VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH - 530013 7. RALI SRINIVASA RAO,, S/O. R. SAI BABU, AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS, OCC. TECHNICAL OFFICER (RETD.), R/O. 55-1-1, SEETHAMMADHARA, YELLAMAMBA NAGAR, OLD VENKOJIPALEM POST, H.B. COLONY, VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH - 530022. 8. B. GANGADHAR,, S/O. MANGALA, AGED ABOUT 64 YEARS, OCC. DEPUTY RANGE OFFICER (RETD.), R/O. TYPE-4, E-1, BHOODEVI QUARTERS, N.S.T.L., BUTCHIRAJUPALEM, GOPALAPATNAM (RURAL), VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH - 530027. ...PETITIONER(S) AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT, FOREST, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, ANDHRA PRADESH - 522238. 2. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY, REVENUE (VIGILANCE-LLL) DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, ANDHRA PRADESH - 522238. 3. THE PRI CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS AND HEAD OF FOREST FORCE, ARANYA BHAVAN, NEAR APIIC TOWERS, MANGALAGIRI, GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH - 522503. 4. THE CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, VISAKHAPATNAM CIRCLE, ANDHRA PRADESH - 530001. 5. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, VISAKHAPATNAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH - 530001. 6. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, VIZIANAGARAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH - 535002. 7. THE DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER, ANAKAPALLE DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH - 531001. ...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 particularly one in the nature of a Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the Respondents in not concluding the disciplinary proceedings against the petitioners within the time stipulated as per G.O.Ms.No.91 dated 12-09-2022 as violative of the G.O.Ms.No.679 dated 01-11-2008 and G.O.Ms.No.91 dated 12-09-2022, provisions of Rule 20 of APCS (CC and A) Rules, 1991 and Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the Respondents to pass final orders with regard to the disciplinary proceedings against the petitioners herein 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 to direct the Respondents to pass final orders with regard to the disciplinary proceedings against the petitioners herein pending disposal of the writ petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 1. MANDALIKA KAVYA SUDHA Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR SERVICES I The Court made the following ORDER: This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following relief: “to issue a writ, order or direction, more particularly one in the nature of a Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the Respondents in not concluding the disciplinary proceedings against the petitioners within the time stipulated as per G.O.Ms. No.91 dated 12-09-2022 as violative of the G.O.Ms.No.679 dated 01-11-2008 and G.O.Ms.No.91 dated 12-09-2022, provisions of Rule 20 of APCS (CC and A) Rules, 1991 and Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the Respondents to pass final orders with regard to the disciplinary proceedings against the petitioners herein and pass…” 2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Services-I appearing for the respondents. 3. The case of the petitioners herein is that the respondents have not concluded the disciplinary proceedings against the petitioners within the time stipulated as per G.O.Ms.No.91 dated 12.09.2022 as violative of G.O.Ms.No.679 dated 01.11.2008 and as per provisions of Rule 20 of A.P.C.S. (CC&A) Rules, 1991 and is arbitrary and illegal. 4. The learned counsel for the petitioner, placing reliance on G.O.Ms.No.91, General Administration (Ser.C) Department, dated 12.09.2022, submits that the Government has framed comprehensive guidelines prescribing a definite time frame for expeditious disposal of disciplinary cases, in supersession of the earlier guidelines. It is submitted that, in simple cases, the enquiry is required to be completed within three months and, in complicated cases, within five to six months. The learned counsel seeks a direction for expeditious conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings and for quashing of the disciplinary enquiry in default. He has also placed reliance on orders passed by this Court in W.P.Nos.11776 and 11779 of 2021, W.P.No.17380 of 2021, W.P.No.17430 of 2021, W.P.No.17617 of 2021, W.P.No.5887 of 2025 and other similar cases. 5. Learned Government Pleader submits that there has been some delay due to administrative reasons; however, it is submitted that the enquiry would be completed as expeditiously as possible in terms of G.O.Ms.No.91, dated 12.09.2022. 6. Having heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader, and upon perusal of the material available on record, as well as the orders passed by this Court in respect of similarly situated employees, this Court is of the opinion that common inquiry has been completed, inquiry report has been filed and the matter is pending for passing of final order by the disciplinary authority. 7. It is pertinent to note that the Government has issued comprehensive guidelines for conclusion of departmental proceedings vide G.O.Ms.No.91, General Administration (Ser.C) Department, dated 12.09.2022. Clause 5(ix) thereof is relevant for disposal of the present case, which reads as follows: “(ix) Government direct that, in all simple cases, the inquiry initiated against a Government servant shall be completed within three months either by departmental officers or the Commissioner of Inquiries. In complicated cases, it shall be ensured that the inquiry is completed within five to six months. The Secretaries to Government shall review the progress of inquiries ordered in all disciplinary cases and submit a note on cases pending beyond the stipulated time to the Chief Secretary to Government and also to the Chief Minister.” 8. Considering the same, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondent authorities to conclude the enquiry against the petitioners within a period of six (06) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The petitioners shall cooperate for expeditious completion of the enquiry. In the event of failure to conclude the enquiry within the aforesaid time frame, the disciplinary proceedings against the petitioners shall stand quashed without further reference to this Court. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, Miscellaneous Petitions, if any, pending in the writ petition shall stand closed. ______________________ JUSTICE D.RAMESH Date: 19.02.2026 M K K 174 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE D.RAMESH WRIT PETITION No.4846 of 2026 Dated: 19.02.2026 M K K