WA/954/2026 of Smt.G.Lakshmi Rani Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh on 11 August 2026

APHC010404202026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI

WRIT APPEAL No.954 of 2026 Bench Sr.No:-9

Smt G.Lakshmi Rani and others ...Appellants Vs. The State of Andhra Pradesh and others ...Respondents ********** CORAM : THE CHIEF JUSTICE LISA GILL SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN

DATE : 12th August 2026 Present : Advocate for Appellants : Sri K. Prudhvi Raj representing Ms. Varshitha Kaligineedi Advocates for Respondents : Learned G.P. for Fisheries, Learned G.P. for Revenue, Sri K. Jyothi Prasad. LISA GILL, CJ.

This Writ Appeal has been filed against interim order dated 15.07.2026 passed in I.A.No.2 of 2026 in W.P.No.6930 of 2026 whereby earlier interim order dated 08.04.2026 has been modified by learned writ Court.

2. W.P.No.6930 of 2026 was filed by appellants/ writ petitioners with the following prayer:

“pleased to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of a writ of Mandamus declaring the action of respondents 2 to 5 particularly the 3rd Respondent in granting permission/ license for fresh water aqua culture in favour of the respondents 6 to 8 in the land situated in R.S.Nos.457, 458/1, 455/2, 458/2, 456/2A, 455/4, 459/1, 455/3, 459/2, 458/3 and 459/3 of Chennuru Village, Pedana Mandal, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh without inviting objections from neighbouring land owners and public and without following the procedure prescribed under law as illegal, arbitrary and contrary to the A.P.State Aqua Culture Development Authority Act and Rules and in violation of G.O.Ms.No.7, dt.16-03-2013 and consequently to set aside/cancel the said permissions/licenses granted in favour of the Respondents 6 to 8 …”

3. Learned counsel for appellants submits that vide order dated 08.04.2026, learned writ Court, by way of an interim measure, suspended licenses granted in favour of respondent Nos.8 to 10. Thereafter, on 15.07.2026, said order has been modified erroneously to the extent it is directed that unofficial respondents are at liberty to proceed with the operation in accordance with licenses granted subject to strict conformity with license conditions therein.

4. Learned counsel for appellants further submits that it was incumbent upon the official respondents to first hear present appellants i.e., neighbouring land owners before grant of aqua farming licenses to private respondents.

5. Learned counsel for private respondents as well as official respondents submit that it was brought to the notice of learned writ Court after passing of order dated 08.04.2026, that G.O.Ms.No.7, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries (FISH.II) Department, dated 16.03.2013 is not, as such, applicable with promulgation of Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority Act, 2020 and Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority Rules, 2020, which now governs grant of licenses. Present licenses have been granted within aqua zone.

6. Learned counsel for appellants does not deny the aforesaid position to the extent of promulgation of statute and Rules and licenses being granted within aqua zone. He, however, submits that it is the stand of respondents themselves that they still, by way of convention, are following G.O.Ms.No.7 dated 16.03.2013.

7. We have heard learned counsel for parties but do not find any ground to grant any relief in this appeal challenging an interim order in the given facts and circumstances. Writ petition is stated to be pending adjudication before learned writ Court on 21.08.2026. Parties are at liberty to raise all available pleas before learned writ Court in accordance with law. We deliberately desist from making any observation on merits of the matter lest it prejudice any of the parties.

8. Writ Appeal is, accordingly, disposed of. No order as to costs.

Miscellaneous Petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed.

LISA GILL, CJ

CHALLA GUNARANJAN, J AMD Whether the order is Speaking/Reasoned : Yes / No Whether the order is Reportable

: Yes / No

HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE LISA GILL, CHIEF JUSTICE & HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN

WRIT APPEAL No.954 of 2026

Dt:12.08.2026

AMD