APHC010709302025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3459] TUESDAY, THE FIFTH DAY OF MAY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE SUMATHI JAGADAM WRIT PETITION No.188 OF 2026 Between: 1. M/s.LAXMI PHOTO STUDIO, REP. BY ITS PROPRIETOR VADDI LAXMI, W/O SATISH BABU, AGED 47 YEARS, OCC OWNER OF LAXMI PHOTO STUDIO, R/O DOOR NO.7-119, KAMESWARI NAGAR, OPP. VETERINARY HOSPITAL, KHAJIPETA, ARASAVILLI, SRIKAKULAM DISTRICT - 532 401. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF AP, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY REVENUE DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT - 522238. 2. DISTRICT COLLECTOR-CUM-DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER, SRIKAKULAM DISTRICT AT SRIKAKULAM-532001. 3. TAHSILDAR CUM ASSISTANT RETURNING OFFICER, NO.6, AMADALAVALASA AC, AMADALAVALASA MANDAL, SRIKAKULAM DISTRICT - 532 185. 4. THE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER AND EX-OFFICIO PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA, ROOM NO.192, GROUND FLOOR, BUILDING NO.5, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT - 522 238. 5. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, FINANCE DEPARTMENT, AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT - 522 238. ...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 2 particularly in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS declaring the action of the Respondents in not paying Rs.4,21,000/- (Four Lakhs Twenty One Thousand Rupees Only) to the petitioner for providing videography for conducting General Elections to Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly - 2024 for Amadalavalasa Assembly Constituency in Srikakulam District, as illegal, irregular, violative of Articles 14 and 21 of Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to pay the amount of Rs.4,21,000/- (Four Lakhs Twenty One Thousand Rupees Only) to the petitioner for providing videography for conducting General Elections to Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly - 2024 for Amadalavalasa Assembly Constituency in Srikakulam District forthwith 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 pay the amount of Rs.4,21,000/- (Four Lakhs Twenty One Thousand Rupees Only) to the petitioner for providing videography for conducting General Elections to Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly - 2024 for Amadalavalasa Assembly Constituency in Srikakulam District forthwith, pending disposal of the main writ petition Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. SRINIVAS AMBATI Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. D S SIVADARSHAN 2. GP FOR REVENUE 3. GP FOR FINANCE PLANNING The Court made the following: JS, J WP No.188/2026 3 ORDER: Heard the arguments of learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Revenue, and Sri G. Rohith, learned Standing Counsel, appearing on behalf of respondent Nos.2 and 3. 2. This Writ Petition is filed by the petitioner seeking a direction to the respondents for release of Rs.4,21,000/- towards the services rendered for arranging the video cameras and videographers for the General Elections, 2024 of Amadalavalasa Assembly Constituency in Srikakulam District. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that despite of utilization of services and recommendation letter, dated 05.07.2024, from the 3rd respondent to the 2nd respondent, the subject amount has remained un-paid for over two years. 4. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Revenue, appearing on behalf of the respondents, has placed on record the written instructions of the 3rd respondent vide proceedings in Rc.No. 13/2026, dated 05.05.2026, wherein it is stated that although the bills were prepared and submitted but the same could not be uploaded and processed in the CFMS portal due to non-availability of the Budget Ledger Maintenance (BLM) Service. The respondents further seek time for release of the amount. JS, J WP No.188/2026 4 5. Having perused the material available on record, this Court finds that the petitioner’s claim is well founded. The arrangement of videography services for the smooth conduct of 2024 General Elections is evident from the material papers filed. However, the fact remained is that vide G.O.RT.No.677, dated 30.03.2026, the Government has already sanctioned the amount of Rs.4,21,000/- for clearance. 6. In view of the above and without delving into other aspects, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of the Writ Petition by directing the respondents to release the already sanctioned amount of Rs.4,21,000/- to the petitioner within three (3) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 7. Accordingly, with the above observation, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. No order as to costs. As a sequel, miscellaneous applications pending, if any, shall stand closed. _________________________ JUSTICE SUMATHI JAGADAM Date: 05.05.2026 DSH