APHC010259072026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3457] MONDAY,THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF JUNE TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE HARINATH.N WRIT PETITION NO: 14584/2026 Between: 1. B VEERESH, S/O NANDI GOUD, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, OCC CONTRACTOR, CHINNA NELATUR, GONEGANDLA, PEDDA NELATUR, KURNOOL GONEGANDLA, ANDHRA PRADESH-518463. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS,VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, 522238. 2. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, FINANCE AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS,VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, 522238. 3. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, KURNOOL DISTRICT AT KURNOOL.518001. 4. THE GUDURU NAGAR PANCHAYAT, REP BY ITS COMMISSIONER, GUDUR NAGAR PANCHAYAT, KURNOOL DISTRICT.518466. ...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 writ of Mandamus, declaring the action of the respondents in withholding 2 the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and Further Security Deposit (FSD) for the works executed in 4th Respondent Nagar Panchayat from the year 2018- 2019 to 2021-2022, payable to the petitioner after expiry of the statutory period, is illegal, arbitrary and violation of Article 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India consequently direct the respondents to consider the representation dated 23.03.2026 and release the EMD and FSD amount with interest and other reliefs, 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 representation dated 23.03.2026 and release the EMD and FSD amount with interest and other reliefs and pass such other order or orders may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case, pending disposal of the above writ petition and to pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. DASARI S V V S V PRASAD Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP MUNCIPAL ADMN AND URBAN DEV AP 2. GP FOR FINANCE PLANNING The Court made the following: 3 Order:- The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has completed the works as entrusted by the 4th respondent. 2. It is submitted that the petitioner has submitted the final bills and that the bills have also been cleared. It is further submitted that the defect liability period has also expired; however, the 4th respondent has so far not released the EMD and FSD. 3. Sri Laxmi Narayana Gudapati, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 4th respondent, submitted that the work is completed and the bills are released. 4. Considering the submissions, nothing should preclude the respondents from withholding the EMD and FSD for a further period, more so when the bills are released and the defect liability period is also over. 5. On these considerations, this writ petition is disposed of at the admission stage, directing the respondents to verify and release the EMD and FSD due and payable to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of four (04) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. ____________________ JUSTICE HARINATH.N 15.06.2026 PNS 4