Date of reserved for orders : -- Date of pronouncement : 05.08.2026 Date of uploading : 05.08.2026 APHC010406992026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3460] WEDNESDAY, THE 5th DAY OF AUGUST 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 22068/2026 Between: 1. G RAMAKRISHNUDU, AGE 61 YRS S/O G.BAKKA CHETTY, PRESENTLY WORKING AS ASST. PLANNING OFFICER, PUTTAPARTHI URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, PUTTAPARTHI, SRI SATYASAI DISTRICT 515134 2. K.R.MADHU,, AGE 59YRS, S/O K.RANGANATH PILLAI, PRESENTLY WORKING AS ASST.PLANNING OFFICER, PALAMANERU- KUPPAM-MADANAPALLI URBAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, ANNAMAYYA DISTRICT 517325 3. N.HARI BABU,, AGE 61YEARS, S/O LATE SARASWATHI RAO, ASST CITY PLANNER, VIZIANAGARAM MUNICIPAL CORPORATION VIZIANAGARAM DISTRICT. 535002. ...PETITIONER(S) AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS PRL.SECRETARY, MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT.. 522238 2. THE DIRECTORATE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING, REPRESENTED BY ITS DIRECTOR, BLOCK NO.4, APCRDA, PROJECT OFIFCE, RAYAPUDI, AMARAVATI GUNTUR DISTRICT 522237 ...RESPONDENT(S): 2 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 order direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declare the action of the respondents in issuing a Memo No.11863232/B1/2026 Dt.24.07.2026 without considering the petitioners though recommended by DT and CP in their Note E-File No.E-3275695), DL29.05.2026 to consider the petitioners for promotion from the present post of Asst Planning Officer/Asst City Planner/Asst Director to the post of Planning Officer/Deputy City Planner/Deputy Director even though there are vacancies which need to filled up is illegal, arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to consider the petitioners from the present post of Asst Planning Officer/Asst City Planner/Asst Director to the post of Planning Officer/Deputy City Planner/Deputy Director. 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 direct the respondents to consider the petitioners for promotion from the present post of Asst Planning Officer/Asst City Planner/Asst Director to the post of Planning Officer/Deputy City Planner/Deputy Director pending disposal of the above Writ Petition. Counsel for the Petitioner(S): 1. J RAVI KUMAR Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR SERVICES I The Court made the following: Whether the order is : Speaking Yes/No / Reasoned Yes/No Reportable Yes/No / Non-Reportable Yes/No 3 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION No.22068 of 2026 ORDER: 1. The present Writ Petition is filed questioning action of Respondents in not considering the Petitioners’ case for promotion to the posts of Planning Officer/Deputy City Planner/Deputy Director and to declare the same as illegal and arbitrary. 2. The Petitioners are working as Assistant Planning Officer/Assistant City Planner/Assistant Director in Puttaparthi Urban Development Authority, Puttaparthi, Sri Satyasai District, Palamaneru, Kuppam, Madanapalle Urban Development Authority, Madanapalle, Annamayya District and Vijayanagaram Municipal Corporation, Vijayanagaram District respectively and they are now due for promotion to the posts of Planning Officer/Deputy City Planner/Deputy Director and the case of the Petitioners was said to be recommended by Respondent No.2 on 29.05.2026 vide E-File No.11863232/B1/2026, however, the Respondents are not considering the case of the Petitioners for promotion to the posts referred above. Hence, the Writ Petition is filed. 3. Learned counsel for the Petitioners submits that the Petitioners are at the fag-end of their career and the delay in considering their cases for 4 promotion to the above mentioned posts would not be of any benefit to them. 4. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services-I appearing for the Respondents submits that the case of the Petitioners will be examined and appropriate decision will be communicated by Respondent No.1 regarding the claim of the Petitioners for promotion to the posts of Planning Officer/Deputy City Planner/Deputy Director. 5. Considering the submissions, the Writ Petition is disposed of, with the following directions; i) The Respondents are directed to examine the claim of the Petitioners for the promotion to the posts of Planning Officer/Deputy City Planner/Deputy Director and take appropriate decision in that regard within a period of three (3) months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order; ii) No order as to costs. 6. As a sequel, miscellaneous applications pending, if any, shall stand closed. ________________________ JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY Date: 05.08.2026 IS 5 THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION No.22068 of 2026 Date: 05.08.2026 IS