APHC010205532026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) FRIDAY, THE 14th DAY OF AUGUST 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 12250 OF 2026 Between: 1. JAGU SURESH, S/o Jagu Brahmam, Aged about 46 years, D.No. 82-13- 1168/2, 3rd Lane, Parvathipuram, Near Ramanamasketram Temple, Sampath Nagar, Guntur 2. Kesana Rajarajeswari,, W/o Srinivasa Rao, aged about 51 years, R/o D.No. 16-15-186,2/5Lane, Yadava Bazaar, Geetha Mandir, Guntur. ...Petitioners AND 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, Rep. by its PrI. Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, Secretariat Buildings, Velagapudi, Guntur District - 522 237. 2. The Animal Welfare Board of India, Rep by its Secretary, National Institute of Animal Welfare Campus, PO 42 KM Stone Delhi Agra Highway, NH2 Seekri Village Ballabhgarh, Faridabad - 121 004. 3. The Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, State of Andhra Pradesh, Tadepalli, Guntur District - 522501. 4. The Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Government of AP, Rep by its Director Labbipet Vijayawada - 520010. 2 5. The Collector and District Magistrate Cum Special Officer to Guntur Municipal Corporation, The Chairman, District Society for Prevention of Cruelty, To Animals Committee, Guntur District -522004. 6. The Guntur Municipal Corporation, Rep by its Commissioner, Guntur- 522002 7. The District Animal Husbandry Officer, Animal Husbandry Department, Guntur - 522004. 8. Sneh Animal Welfare Society, Registered office at Dharuhera, Rewari District, Haryana State - 123106 Rep.by its Authorized person, ABC Centre, Budampadu Bypass Junction, Ponnur Road, Guntur - 522003 ...Respondents 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 or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the Respondents, particularly Respondents No.5 to 8, in permitting and continuing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme within Guntur Municipal Corporation limits through the 8th Respondent agency without obtaining mandatory Project Recognition Certificate and in violation of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, as illegal, arbitrary and contrary to the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Rules framed thereunder, and consequently direct the respondents to forthwith stop all such illegal ABC activities, and further direct the respondents to strictly implement the ABC Programme only in accordance with law by engaging duly qualified and recognized agencies, and 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 5th Respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on the 3 representation, dated 23-03-2026 submitted by the petitioners within a time frame fixed by this Hon’ble Court, and pending such consideration, to keep in abeyance the ongoing Animal Birth Control (ABC) activities being conducted by the 8th Respondent within Guntur Municipal Corporation limits, pending disposal of the above Writ Petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioners: BULLA SAMBASIVA RAO Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR ANIMAL HUSBANDARY Counsel for the Respondents: NEERAJA BATHINA Counsel for the Respondents: A S C BOSE (SC FOR MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS AP) Counsel for the Respondents: GP MUNCIPAL ADMN AND URBAN DEV AP The Court made the following Order: Heard Sri Bulla Sambasiva Rao, learned counsel for the petitioners, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Animal Husbandry and Sri Naga Praveen Vankayalapati, learned Standing Counsel for the respondent Nos.5 & 6/Municipal Corporation. 2. The grievance of the petitioners in the instant Writ Petition is against the action of the respondent Nos.5 to 8 in permitting and continuing the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme in Guntur District through the 8th respondent Agency, without obtaining valid recognition certificate, is in violation of the provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023. 3. After issuance of notice to the respondents, the matter has been taken for consideration. 4 4. The respondent No.8 filed counter affidavit stating that they have a valid certificate issued by the appropriate authority viz., Animal Welfare Board of India, dated 01-09-2025. It is further stated that it has undertaken the necessary steps to comply with the procedures provided under the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, and the surgeries are being conducted by qualified and registered veterinary practitioners. 5. Having regard to the same, this Court is of the view that the grievance of the petitioner in so far the relief sought in the Writ Petition would not merit for further adjudication in the light of the certificate issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India in favour of the 8th respondent. 6. However, learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the 8th respondent is not conducting the Animal Birth Control Programme in accordance with the certificate issued. It is also operating from some other premises. 7. The said grievance of the petitioners would not merit further consideration given the prayer that is sought in the Writ Petition. 8. The Writ Petition is disposed of, as the matter requires no further adjudication. The petitioner has if any other grievance, with regard any violation of condition or license, the petitioners are at liberty to challenge. There shall be no order as to costs. 5 As a sequel, all pending miscellaneous applications shall stand closed. ______________________________ JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA Dated: 14-08-2026 MSI 6 THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 12250 OF 2026 Dated: 14-08-2026 MSI