APHC010292202026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3396] WEDNESDAY, THE 22nd DAY OF JULY 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA WRIT PETITION NO: 15459/2026 Between: 1. FERTILIZERS, PESTICIDES AND SEED DEALERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION, ANDHRA PRADESH A SOCIETY REGISTERED UNDER THE SOCIETIES ACT, OFFICE AT DOOR NO.40-7-5, BONDA NAGA MOHAN RAO STREET, MOGALRAJAPURAM, VIJAYAWADA- 520 010, ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT MR. V. VENKATA NAGI REDDY ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, AGRICULTURE AND COOPERATION DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI-522238. 2. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REPRESENTED BY THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, HEALTH, MEDICAL AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI-522238. 3. THE COMMISSIONER AND DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE, STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, OLD MIRCH YARD, NALLAPADU ROAD, GUNTUR-522 004. 4. THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE, STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, GOLLAPUDI, VIJAYAWADA-521225 5. THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE FOR STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, MANGALAGIRI- 522 503 2 ...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, particularly one in the nature of a Writ of Mandamus To quash G.O.Rt.No.421, Agriculture and Cooperation (Agri.lll) Department, dated 22/05/2026, and its consequential notification, declaring the action of the Respondents as illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional To direct the Respondents to permit the member companies and dealers of the Petitioner Association to continue the unhindered manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of Paraquat Dichloride 24 percent SL in the State of Andhra Pradesh and Pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. HARANADHA RAJU KATTA Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR HOME 2. GP FOR MEDICAL HEALTH FW 3. GP FOR AGRICULTURE 3 THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA WRIT PETITION NO: 15459 of 2026 ORDER:- This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a Writ of Mandamus seeking to quash G.O.Rt.No.421, Agriculture and Cooperation (Agri.lll) Department, dated 22.05.2026, and its consequential notification declaring the action of the Respondents as illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional and to direct the Respondents to permit the member companies and dealers of the Petitioner-Association to continue the unhindered manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of Paraquat Dichloride 24 percent SL in the State of Andhra Pradesh. 2. When the matter is taken up for hearing, Ms. M.Sandhya Deepthi, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Agriculture would submit that the Government of India has taken a policy decision on the issue and has issued a draft Gazette Notification dated 10.07.2026 proposing to ban Paraquat Dichloride. 3. Sri Haranadha Raju Katta, learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petition may be disposed of, since the relief has become infructuous, in the light of the above notification. He further submits that until a final decision is taken by the Central Government, the respondent-authorities may be directed not to take any coercive steps against the petitioner without issuing prior notice. 4 4. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Agriculture would submit that in the light of the request made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, the Court may pass appropriate orders in this matter. 5. Recording the above submissions, the Writ Petition is dismissed, since the relief has become infructuous. However, the respondent-authorities are directed not to take any coercive steps against the petitioner without issuing prior notice until the Central Government takes a final decision on the proposed ban of Paraquat Dichloride. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel thereto, miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending shall stand closed. _________________________________________ Dr. JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA Date: 22.07.2026. UPS 5 09 THE HONOURABLE DR JUSTICE VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA WRIT PETITION NO: 15459 of 2026 Dt.22.07.2026 UPS