WP/29202/2026 of CHANDALURI RAJESWARA SASTRY Vs THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH on 8 October 2026

1. CHANDALURI RAJESWARA SASTRY, S/o. Late Seetharama Sastry Age 65 years Occ Hereditary Archaka Swasthivachakadar Sri Raja Rajarajeswara Swamy Temple R/o. Nujellapalli Village, J. Panguluru Mandal Prakasam District ...Petitioner AND

1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, Rep. by its Principal Secretary, Home Department Secretariat, Velagapudi, Amaravathi - 522237

2. The Superintendent of Police, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh - 523001

3. The Sub Divisional Police Officer, Darsi, Prakasam District - 523247

4. The Station House Officer, J. Panguluru Village and Mandal Prakasam District (Reningavaram) - 523214

5. The Circle Inspector of Police, Addanki Town and Mandal Prakasam District

- 523201

6. The Assistant Commissioner of Endowments, Ongole, Prakasam District - 523001

7. Sri Rajarajeswara Swamy Temple, Nujellapalli Village, J. Panguluru Mandal Prakasam District - 523214 Rep. by its Executive Officer

::2::

8. Challa Poorna Chandra Sekhar, S/o. Late Subbaramaiah Age 44 years Occ Document Writer R/o. Chandaluru, J. Panguluru Mandal Prakasam District - 523214

9. Addanki Subbarao, S/o. Nagabhushanam Age 65 years Hereditary Chairman of Sri Rajarajeswara Swamy Temple Nujellapalli Village Prakasam District - 523214 ...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 an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, challenging the action of the respondents, more particularly respondents 2 to 5, in not considering the petitioners representation dated 03.10.2026 for granting police protection for performing Swasthivachakam, Semipuja, Paruveta and Gramotsavam to be conducted by the petitioner in the 7th respondent temple on the auspicious day of Dussara on 20.10.2026, as illegal, arbitrary, bad and violative of Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to grant police protection to the petitioner to perform Swasthivachakam, Semipuja, Paruveta and Gramotsavam to be performed on 20.10.2026 in the 7th respondent temple 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 direct the respondents 1 to 6 to consider petitioner's representation dated 03.10.2026 and to grant police protection for performance of Swasthivachakam, Paruveta, Semipuja, and Gramotsavam to be performed 20.10.2026 in the 7th respondent temple and pass Counsel for the Petitioner : D V SASIDHAR Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR HOME Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR ENDOWMENTS

::3::

WRIT PETITION No.29202 of 2026 The Court made the following Order:

Instant Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the following relief: “to issue an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, challenging the action of the respondents, more particularly respondents 2 to 5, in not considering the petitioners representation dated 03.10.2026 for granting police protection for performing Swasthivachakam, Semipuja, Paruveta and Gramotsavam to be conducted by the petitioner in the 7th respondent temple on the auspicious day of Dussara on 20.10.2026, as illegal, arbitrary, bad and violative of Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to grant police protection to the petitioner to perform Swasthivachakam, Semipuja, Paruveta and Gramotsavam to be performed on 20.10.2026 in the 7th respondent temple and pass”

2. Learned counsel for petitioner states that petitioner is hereditary Archaka & Swasthivachakadar in Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy Temple, J. Panguluru Mandal, Prakasam District. He reiterated the averments mentioned in the writ affidavit and at last, he confined his prayer to the extent of disposing of petitioner’s representation dated 03.10.2026 which was addressed to respondent No.4 seeking police protection to perform religious ceremonies on the auspicious day of Dussara on 20.10.2026 at Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy Temple, Nujellapalli Village, J. Panguluru Mandal, Prakasam District.

3. On the other hand, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home, on instructions, states that Police personnel received petitioner’s representation dated 03.10.2026 and contends that the petitioner is not a competent authority to seek police protection and further states that the Executive Officer of temple

::4::

(or) officially empowered person, who is looking after all the administrative affairs of the temple, are competent to seek police protection. However, he states that if the competent authority of the Temple, applies for police protection with all prerequisites to perform religious ceremonies on the auspicious day of Dussara ie., on 20.10.2026 in Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy Temple, Nujellapalli Village, J. Panguluru Mandal, Prakasam District, they will consider the same, in accordance with law.

4. Learned counsel for respondent No.7–temple as well as learned Assistant Government Pleader for Endowments also states that the petitioner has no locus standi to seek police protection. It is further submitted that officials are taking appropriate steps to conduct religious ceremonies as per traditions and customs only. In the event of any requirements, they will initiate effective steps too.

5. At that juncture, learned counsel for the petitioner, Sri D.V.Sasidhar, fairly states that the main writ petition is disposed of by recording the submission of learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home.

6. Thus, taking into consideration the respective submissions as recorded above, without expressing any opinion on locus standi or petitioner’s rights over the subject temple, the instant Writ Petition is disposed of in the following way: i. Respondent No.4 is hereby directed to consider petitioner’s representation dated 03.10.2026 and pass appropriate orders,

::5::

strictly in accordance with law and communicate the same to the petitioner, at the earliest; ii. It is always open for the respondent No.7–temple authorities or any empowered official person to apply for police aid, if so required and on such application, respondent-police shall consider and pass appropriate orders, in accordance with the law. There shall be no order as to costs.

Interlocutory applications, if any, pending shall stand closed.

____________________________________ JUSTICE MAHESWARA RAO KUNCHEAM Date: 09.10.2026 Note: Issue C.C. by 12.10.2026

B/o. KRK

::6::

63

WRIT PETITION No.29202 of 2026

Date: 09.10.2026 KRK