APHC010280712026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI WRIT APPEAL NO: 656 of 2026 Bench Sr.No:-1 [3579] Jewett Memorial Baptist Church ...Appellant Vs. The State of Andhra Pradesh and another ...Respondents ********** Advocate for Appellant : Mr Devalaraju Anil Kumar Advocate for Respondents : GP for Cooperation CORAM : THE CHIEF JUSTICE LISA GILL SRI JUSTICE NINALA JAYASURYA DATE : 23rd June, 2026 LISA GILL, CJ: Prayer in this writ appeal is for setting aside order dated 08.05.2026 passed by learned Single Bench whereby writ petition filed by present appellant – writ petitioner has been dismissed as not maintainable. 2. Appellant – writ petitioner filed WP.No.14183 of 2026 seeking a declaration to the effect that issuance of election notification dated 05.05.2026 in respect to the elections for Church Office Bearers of Jewett Memorial Baptist Church, Ongole is illegal, arbitrary and beyond jurisdiction. Various grounds qua challenge to said notification were raised by writ petitioner. It was further prayed that respondent No.2 should be directed to issue a fresh election notification and conduct elections only for vacant available posts in the Standing Committee of the Church. 2 HCJ & NJS, J WA_656_2026 3. Learned Single Bench on considering the facts and circumstances concluded that the Society is not a State within the meaning of Article 12 of the Constitution of India and neither does it perform public functions; mere appointment of respondent No.2 to conduct elections would not alter nature of the society and that dispute is regarding elections to a private society, therefore, writ petition is not maintainable. 4. It is brought to our notice by learned counsel for respondents that election process as of now is over. It is undeniable that appellant – writ petitioner has efficacious alternate remedy(ies) for challenging the election which has now been conducted. Learned counsel for appellant is unable to point out any ground which calls for interference at this stage. 5. Writ Appeal is disposed of with liberty to appellant to avail remedy(ies) as may be available to it in accordance with law for challenging the election in question. No costs. Pending application(s) if any stand(s) disposed of accordingly. LISA GILL, CJ NINALA JAYASURYA, J Vjl Whether the order is Speaking/Reasoned : Yes / No Whether the order is Reportable/Non-reportable : Yes / No