Date of reserved for orders : Date of pronouncement : 29-06-2026 Date of uploading : 04-07-2026 APHC010682142025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3457] MONDAY, THE 29th DAY OF JUNE 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE HARINATH.N WRIT PETITION NO: 35375/2025 Between: 1. MANAPALLI SAI KUMAR, S/O M. SRIRAMULU, AGE 46 YEARS, OCC EX-VICE CHAIRMAN AND 9TH WARD COUNCILOR, R/O D.NO.10/719, LINGASETTY PALEM, DHARMAVARAM, SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT. 2. CHANDAMURI NARAYANA REDDY,, S/O NARAYANA REDDY, AGE 52 YEARS, OCC EX-VICE CHAIRMAN AND 37TH WARD COUNCILOR, R/O H.NO.30-773-4, TEACHERS COLONY, NEAR BSNL TOWER, DHARMAVARAM, SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT. ...PETITIONER(S) AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, ANDHRA PRADESH. 2. THE COMMISSIONER AND DIRECTOR OF MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION CDMA, NEAR DGP OFFICE, VADDESWARAM, MANGALAGIRI, A.P. 3. THE ANDHRA PRADESH URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY APUDA, REP. BY ITS VICE-CHAIRMAN, 4TH FLOOR, NTR ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK PANDIT NEHRU BUS STATION, VIJAYAWADA 520013. 4. THE DIRECTOR OF TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING DTCP, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. 5. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR AND DISTRICT MAGISTRATE, SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT. 6. THE DHARMAVARAM MUNICIPALITY, DHARMAVARAM, SRI SATHYA SAI DISTRICT, REP. BY ITS COMMISSIONER. ...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 appropriate writ, order or direction declaring the inaction of the respondent authorities in not considering the proposal for merger of Pothulanagepalli Revenue Village Survey Nos. 01 to 58,60, 74 to 87, Regatipalli Revenue Village Survey Nos. 335, 338, 341 to 343, 420, 421 and 424 and Kunuthuru Revenue Village Survey Nos. 325, 326, 477 to 508, 513 to 534 and 586 into Dharmavaram Municipality, pursuant to the Municipal Council Resolution No.296 dated 26.02.2022 and the Municipal Commissioner's letter Roc.No.143/2022-G1 dated 29.04.2022, as illegal, arbitrary, contrary to G.O.Ms.No.114 dated 05.05.2015 and violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India, and consequently direct the respondent authorities to take appropriate steps to consider and approve the said proposal for merger within a stipulated time as may be fixed by this Hon'ble Court and to pass IA NO: 1 OF 2025 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 Pleased to direct the respondent authorities to consider the proposal for merger based on the Municipal Council Resolution No.296 dated 26.02.2022 and the Municipal Commissioner’s letter Roc.No.143/2022-G1 dated 29.04.2022, pending disposal of the above writ petition and to pass Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 1. G SEKHAR REDDY Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR MUNCIPAL ADMN URBAN DEV 2. Gudapati Lakshminarayana SC For Municipalities in Rayalaseema Region 3. GP FOR REVENUE The Court made the following: ORDER:- Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the respondent authorities are not considering the proposal for merger of Pothulanagapalli Revenue Village Survey Nos.1 to 58, 60, 74 to 87, Regatipalli Revenue Village Survey Nos. 335, 338, 341 to 343, 420, 421 and 424 and Kunuthuru Revenue Village Survey Nos.325, 326, 477 to 508, 513 to 534 and 586 into Dharmavaram Municipality in pursuance of the Municipal Council Resolution dated 26.02.2022 followed up by the Municipal Commissioner's letter dated 29.04.2022 which is contrary to G.O.Ms.No.114, dated 05.05.2015. 2. The petitioners’ representations have been unanswered by the respondents. However, the counter filed by the 2nd respondent would indicate that the proposal is under consideration of the 5th respondent and that soon after receipt of the proposal from the 5th respondent, the 2nd respondent will take further action in accordance with the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Municipalities (Inclusion or Exclusion of Areas into/from the Jurisdiction of Municipalities/Nagar Panchayats) Rules 2015 in pursuance of G.O.Ms.No.114 dated 05.05.2015. 3. The 6th respondent has also filed a counter duly stating that the proposal is pending consideration with the 5th respondent and that steps have already been initiated for passing appropriate orders in pursuance of G.O.Ms.No.114. 4. Recording the submissions and also recording the counters filed by the respondents, the writ petition stands disposed of, directing respondents to expedite the process of taking a decision in pursuance of G.O.Ms.No.114 and pass necessary orders preferably within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a coyp 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 Dt: 29.06.2026 SR Whether the order is: Speaking ☑ Reasoned Reportable Non-reportable ☑