APHC010219252026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3208] THURSDAY, THE TWENTY THIRD DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE D RAMESH WRIT PETITION NO: 10951/2026 Between: 1. KASINA PULLAM RAJU, , S/O K.R.B. GANAPATHIRAJU, AGED 59 YEARS, SUB-REGISTRAR GR.II, O/O ASSISTANT REGISTRAR OF CHITS, VIJAYAWADA, R/O 104-6-236, RAMAKRISHNA NAGAR, 14 LANE, HUKUMPETA, RAJAHMUNDRY RURAL, RAJAHMUNDRY (PO), EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, A.P.-533101. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, REVENUE (VIGILANCE-11) DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT- 522238. 2. THE COMMISSIONER AND INSPECTOR GENERAL, REGISTRATION AND STAMPS DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH, TADEPALLI, GUNTUR DISTRICT-522501. ...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 of Mandamus or any 2 other appropriate Writ declaring the action on the part of the respondents in initiating disciplinary proceedings against the petitioner through Articles of Charges communicated vide G.O.Rt.No.l96, Rev. (Vig.II) Dept., Dt.30.03.2021 of the respondent and continuing the same even after a lapse of 5 years of period in relation to the subject matter of incident of the year 2015 as illegal, arbitrary and contrary to law and set aside the same with a direction to the respondents to consider the case of the petitioner for promotion to the post of Sub-Registrar Gr.I without reference to G.O.Rt.No.196, Rev.(Vig.II) Dept., Dt.30.03.2021 and to 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 consider the claim of the petitioner for promotion to the post of Sub-Registrar Gr.I without reference to G.O.Rt.No.196, Rev. (Vig.II) Dept., Dt.30.03.2021, pending disposal of the Writ Petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. V MAHESWAR REDDY Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR SERVICES I 3 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE D RAMESH WRIT PETITION NO: 10951 of 2026 The Court made the following Order: This writ petition is filed to declare the action of the respondents in initiating the disciplinary proceedings against the petitioner through Articles of Charges communicated vide G.O.Rt.No.l96, Rev.(Vig.II) Dept., Dt.30.03.2021 of the respondent and continuing the same even after a lapse of five (05) years of period in relation to the subject matter of incident of the year 2015 as illegal and arbitrary. 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Assistant Government Pleader appearing for the respondents. 3. The case of the petitioner is that initially the petitioner was appointed as Junior Assistant on 01.02.1989 and in the year 2005 as per seniority and other eligibility, he was promoted as Senior Assistant. Subsequently, he was promoted as Sub-Registrar Grade-II on 01.09.2011. Since then, he is discharging his duties as Sub Registrar Grade–II. 4. While things stood thus, Respondent No.1 has issued articles of charges against the petitioner on 30.03.2021 and the petitioner has submitted his explanation on 22.03.2021 and, even 4 after lapse of five (05) years the respondents have not conducted any enquiry and submitted any report. 5. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the respondents have not complied the instructions issued by the Government vide G.O.Ms.No.91 dated 12.09.2022 and not completed the charges which are framed against the petitioner and not concluded. In fact, in the above said G.O., the Government has categorically issued instructions to all the Principal Secretaries to complete the enquiry within three months with regard to simple cases and as far as in complicated cases, enquiry be completed within 5 to 6 months. But in the instant case, the respondents could not be able to conclude the proceedings even after lapse of three years and two years. Learned counsel further brought to the notice of the Court that in the identical circumstances, this Court has passed catena of judgments directing the respondents to consider the case of the petitioner without reference to the charge memos issued which are not concluded as per G.O.Ms.No.91 dated 12.9.2022, should be considered for promotion as per G.O.Ms.No.257. In the said circumstances, as against the petitioner, no currency of punishment and the charges which are framed were not disposed 5 of/concluded as per G.O.Ms.No.91. Hence, the petitioner is entitled for promotion to the post of Sub Registrar Grade-I as per his seniority and eligibility in terms of G.O.Ms.No.257 dated 10.6.1999. 6. Per contra, learned Government Pleader appearing on behalf of the respondents, basing on the instructions submits that the petitioner is not eligible for consideration for promotion under G.O.Ms.No.257 dated 10.06.1999. 7. Reply to the same, learned counsel for the petitioner has brought and placed G.O.Ms.No.49 dated 23.01.2026 and in the said G.O., the 1st respondent/Government has considered the appeal filed by the petitioner and set aside the punishment which was imposed in G.O.Ms.No.339 dated 24.7.2019 by regularizing the suspension period as well as dismissal period by treating it as duty. 8. Considering the above submissions and on perusal of G.O.Ms.No.49 dated 23.01.2026, the Writ Petition is disposed of directing the respondents to consider the case of the petitioner for promotion to the post of Sub-Registrar Grade-I subject to petitioner possessing requisite qualifications and eligibility and his 6 case may be considered in terms of G.O.Ms.No.257, General Administration (Ser.C) Department, dated 10.06.1999 with a consequential direction to conclude the proceedings in terms of G.O.Ms.No.91, General Administration (Ser.C) Department, dated 12.09.2022. There shall be no order as to costs. Interlocutory applications, if any, pending shall stand closed. __________________ JUSTICE D RAMESH Date: 23.04.2026 PSA