APHC010420402026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) WEDNESDAY, THE 19th DAY OF AUGUST 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 22740 OF 2026 Between: 1. S. Johan Babu Rao,, S/o Jayarao, Aged about 55 years Occ Parish Pastor, St. Mathews Lutheran Church, North Parish, Central Guntur Synod, R/o St. Mathews North Parish Parsonage, Becker Compoud, Brodipet, Guntur- 522002. ...Petitioner AND 1. The State of Andhra Pradesh, Rep by its Principal Secretary, Minority Welfare Department, Velagapudi, Amaravati, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh - 522237. 2. The Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church AELC, A Society registered under the provisions of Societies Act XXI of 1860, (Regd No.2/1932), Having its Office at Post Box No.205, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh - 522002. Represented by its Controller. 3. The Administrator, The Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC) Guntur, Andhra Pradesh - 522002. 4. J Adam Kennedy, Pastor, Chads Lutheran Church, Tenali, East Guntur Synod, Tenali, Andhra Pradesh - 522201. ...Respondents 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 a Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of 3rd Respondent herein in issuing proceedings No.126/Disc/26 dated 07.08.2026 suspending the Petitioner from the post of Parish Pastor, St. Mathews Lutheran Church, North Parish, Central Guntur Synod without giving any valid reason and without specifying the period of suspension and issuing proceedings No.256/App/26 dated 07.08.2026 appointing and transferring 4th Respondent in place of the Petitioner as being wholly arbitrary, illegal, unconstitutional and violative of Art. 14 and 21 of the constitution of India and also without any jurisdiction and consequently set aside the proceedings No.126/Disc/26 dated 07.08.2026 and proceedings No.256/App/26 dated 07.08.2026 issued by the 3rd Respondent 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 suspend the operation of proceedings No.126/Disc/26 dated 07.08.2026 and proceedings No.256/App/26 dated 07.08.2026 issued by the 3rd Respondent, pending disposal of the above writ petition IA NO: 2 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 3rd Respondent to allow the Petitioner to discharge his duties as Parish Pastor in St. Mathews Lutheran Church, North Parish, Central Guntur Synod, pending disposal of above writ petition Counsel for the Petitioner: AJAY KUMAR KANAPARTHI Counsel for the Respondents: M SRIKANTH Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR SOCIAL WELFARE 3 Counsel for the Respondents: CHEVURI RAMA SWAMY The Court made the following Order: Sri Ajay Kumar Kanaparthi, learned counsel for the petitioner seeks permission of the Court to withdraw the writ petition with a liberty to avail remedies under law. 2. Permission is accorded. 3. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is dismissed as withdrawn with a liberty as prayed for. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, all pending miscellaneous applications shall stand closed. ______________________________ JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA Dated: 19-08-2026 MSI 4 THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 22740 OF 2026 Dated: 19-08-2026 MSI