Andhra Pradesh High Court
WP/9478/2026 of R PADMAJA RANI Vs THE STATE OF AP on 17 September 2026
HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3460] FRIDAY, THE 18th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY WRIT PETITION NO: 9478/2026 Between: 1. R PADMAJA RANI, W/O S.SRIKANTH, AGE 52YEARS, OCC AUDIT OFFICER INCHARGE O/O THE DISTRICT
APHC010189392026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH
AT AMARAVATI
(Special Original Jurisdiction)
FRIDAY, THE 18th DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY
WRIT PETITION NO: 9478/2026
Between:
1. R PADMAJA RANI, W/O S.SRIKANTH, AGE 52YEARS, OCC
AUDIT OFFICER INCHARGE O/O THE DISTRICT AUDIT
OFFICER,STATE
AUDIT,
RAJAMAHNERAVARAM,
EAST
GODAVARI DISTRICT
...PETITIONER
AND
1. THE STATE OF AP, REP. BY ITS SPECIAL FINANCE
SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, FINANCE AND PLANNING
DEPARTMENT,
ANDHRA
PRADESH
SECRETARIAT,
VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. ANDHRA
PRADESH- 522238.
2. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL
SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, FINANCE AND PLANNING
DEPARTMENT,
ANDHRA
PRADESH
SECRETARIAT,
VELAGAPUDI AMARAVATHI- 522238. GUNTUR DISTRICT
ANDHRA PRADESH
3. THE DIRECTORATE OF STATE AUDIT ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS DIRECTOR, MANGALAGIRI, GUNTUR DISTRICT-
522503.
4. THE REGIONAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR, STATE AUDIT, ZONE II, ELURU, ELURU DISTRICT- 534001.
...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 topleased to issue a suitable Writ, Order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the high handed action of the respondents in deferring my name by the Departmental Promotion Committee in the seniority list for the post of Audit Officer under the guise of untenable charges as illegal, arbitrary and violative of principles of natural justice and consequently direct the respondents to consider my name for promotion to the post of Audit Officer 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 pleased to direct the respondents to consider my name for promotion to the post of Audit Officer pending disposal of the writ petition and pass 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 may be pleased to direct the Respondents to consider the case of the petitioner for promotion to the post of Audit Officer in terms of GOMs.No.257 General Administration (SER.C) department, dt. 10-06- 1999 pending disposal of the Writ Petition in the existing vacancy and to pass Counsel for the Petitioner:
1. A RAJENDRA BABU
Counsel for the Respondent(S):
1. GP FOR SERVICES I
2. GP FOR FINANCE PLANNING
The Court made the following:
WRIT PETITION No.9478 of 2026
Citations and Judicial Treatment
Cited by
0
Decisions in the index citing it
Cites
0
Decisions referred to
In this index
0
Of the decisions it cites
Overruled / Questioned
0
No negative treatment found
Loading the citing and cited decisions…
This judgment in the centre: on the left the decisions it cites, on the right the decisions citing it. Colour is the treatment; choose a decision to open it.
ORDER:
1. The present Writ Petition is filed to declare the action of the Respondent-Authorities in not promoting the Petitioner to the post of Audit Officer on account of pendency of departmental enquiry, as illegal and arbitrary.
2. The Petitioner was initially appointed as Junior Auditor on 06.07.1997 in the office of the District Audit Office, Kakinada, and was subsequently promoted as Senior Auditor and Assistant Audit Officer in the years 2002 and 2018, respectively. At present, the Petitioner is working as Assistant Audit Officer in the office of the District Audit Officer, State Audit, Rajamahendravaram, East Godavari District. It is stated that she is now eligible and qualified for promotion to the post of Audit Officer.
3. While so, a Charge Memorandum was issued to the Petitioner vide Roc.No.275/A1/2025-26, dated 03.01.2026, alleging that the Petitioner, while working as DAO (I/c), Rajamahendravaram, has consistently abused the authority as DDO and systematically harassed the staff in the O/o. DAO, Rajamahendravaram, by withholding salaries, annual grade increments and other benefits. It was further alleged that the Petitioner did not approve physical copies of hundreds of audit reports, did not facilitate the issue of special letters, failed to achieve the mandated targets as per the approved annual action plans, acted prejudicially to office security and discipline, and showed willful disobedience to the orders of superior authorities.
4. It is stated that after serving the above charge memo, the Petitioner submitted statement of defence refuting the aforesaid charge and enquiry is stated to be pending. While so, the promotions for the post of Audit Officer is being considered and the apprehension of the Petitioner is that her case would not be considered for promotion in view of the pendency of the disciplinary enquiry. It was in that context, the present Writ Petition was filed.
5. Having heard the respective submissions, this Court is of the opinion that the case of the Petitioner for the post of Audit Officer can be considered for promotion in terms of G.O.Ms.No.257, dated 10.06.1999.
6. The Writ Petition is disposed of, with the following directions:- i) The Respondents are directed to consider the Petitioner’s case for promotion to the Post of Audit Officer, subject to the Petitioner possessing requisite qualifications in terms of G.O.Ms.No.257, General Administration (Ser.C) Department, dated 10.06.1999. ii) There shall be no order as to costs.
As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions, pending if any, shall stand closed. ________________________ JUSTICE NYAPATHY VIJAY
Date: 18.09.2026 chs
WRIT PETITION No.9478 of 2026 Dated: 18.09.2026
chs