WP/2163/2026 of GAJULA GAUTHAM Vs UNION OF INDIA on 29 March 2026

APHC010035072026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

AT AMARAVATI

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

MONDAY,THE THIRTIETH DAY OF MARCH

TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX

PRESENT

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND

WRIT PETITION NOS.32524 OF 2025 AND 2163 OF 2026

WRIT PETITION NO: 32524/2025

Between:

1. SANTHI ASHRAMAM, A SOCIETY REGISTERED UNDER THE

SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT 21/1860 HAVING ITS MAIN

MISSION OF PEACE AT THOTAPALLI HILLS, VIA SANKAVARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS

SECRETARY P.LAKSHMI.

...PETITIONER

AND

1. THE JOINT CHIEF CONTROLLER OF EXPLOSIVES, SOUTH

CIRCLE, PETROLEUM AND EXPLOSIVES SAFETY ORGANIZATION

(PESO) A AND D WING, BLOCK-1-8, 2ND FLOOR, SHASTRI

BHAVAN, HADDOWS ROAD, NUNGAMBAKKAM, CHENNAI. PIN

600006.

2. THE DEPUTY CHIEF CONTROLLER OF EXPLOSIVES PETROLEUM

AND

EXPLOSIVES

SAFETY

ORGANIZATION

PESO,

VISHAKHAPATNAM SUB CIRCLE OFFICE DOOR NO 7-20-13, KIRLAMPUDY

LAYOUT,

(NEAR

ANDHRA

UNIVERSITY)

INTERNATIONAL

FOREIGN

STUDENTS

HOSTEL,

VISAKHAPATNAM -530017.

3. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL

SECRETARY, CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT

BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT.

4. THE

DISTRICT

COLLECTOR,

VISHAKHAPATNAM

DISTRICT,

VISHAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH - 530 017.

5. BHARAT PETROLEUM CORPORATION LIMITED B P C L, REP. BY

ITS

MANAGING

DIRECTOR

AND

CHAIRMAN,

WITH

ITS

REGISTERED OFFICE AT BHARATH BHAVAN, 4 AND 6

CURRIMBHOY ROAD, BALLARD ESTATE, MUMBAI. 400001

...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 Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring that the action of the official respondents specifically Respondent No. 1 and 2 in not considering the petitioners representation dated 05-07-25 and not cancelling the explosives licenses issued to the 5th respondent for continuing its operation of running the petrol pump over the premises in all that piece and parcel of land situated at Survey No 51/1 Waltair Ward, in Vizag City Beach Road ( China Waltair) in Vishakhapatnam, AP admeasuring 1111 sq yds appeartaining to plot /

premises in RS No Police Station China Waltair, Vishakapatnam and SRO of Vishakapatnam in the registration district of Vishakapatnam butted and bounded on North Shanti Ashram land. South Saint Anglo Missionary School, East By lOfeet road. West By Bheemili Double Road, and pass WRIT PETITION NO: 2163/2026

Between:

1. GAJULA GAUTHAM, S/O LATE GAJULA VIVEKANANDA AGED 50

YEARS,

2. SRI GAJULA SIDHARADHA, S/O LATE GAJULA VIVEKANANDA

AGED 48 YEARS, (BOTH THE PETITIONERS ARE RESIDENTS OF

D.NO 4-72-14, L.B COLONY, BEACH ROAD, VISAKHAPTANAM. PIN-

530017)

...PETITIONER(S)

AND

1. UNION OF INDIA, REP.BY CHIEF CONTROLLER OF EXPLOSIVES

PETROLEUM AND EXPLOSIVES SAFETY ORGANISATION 'A'

BLOCK, COO COMPLEX, 5TH FLOOR, SEMINARY HILLS, NAGPUR, MAHARASHTRA-PIN 440004

2. DY CHIEF CONTROLLER OF EXPLOSIVES, PETROLEUM AND

EXPLOSIVES SAFETY ORGANIZATION D.NO 7-20-13 KIRLAMPUDY

LAY OUT, VISAKHAPATNAM, 530017.

3. BHARAT

PETROLEUM

CORPORATION

LTD,

REP.BY

ITS

TERRITORY MANAGER-RETAIL VIZAG RETAIL TERRITORY, NEAR

NAVAL DOCK YARD VISAKHAPATNAM. AP 530014

4. M/S SANTHI ASHRAMAM, A SOCIETY REGISTERED UNDER THE

SOCIETIES REGISTRATION ACT 21/1860 HAVING ITS MAIN

MISSION OF PEACE AT THOTAPALLI HILLS, VIA SANKAVARAM, EAST

GODAVARI

DISTRICT,

A.P.

533446

REP.

BY

ITS'

SECRETARY.

...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 Hon'ble Court may be pleased to issue an order, proceeding and more particularly a writ in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the vide proceeding No P/SC/AP/14/4494(P135098) at 02.01.2026, issued by the 2nd respondent in suspending the petroleum storage license in FORM XIV vide license No P/SC/AP/14/4494(P135098), at the. petitioners'

retail outlet namely M/s Yogi Rag havendra Energy for a period of 90 days, as illegal, arbitrary, ultra vires their powers, without authority and violative of principles of natural justice and violative of Art. 14 and Art. 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India and ultra vires the provisions of the Petroleum Rules 2002 and to 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 suspend the 2nd respondent's order in No P/SC/AP/14/4494(P13509 8) dt:

02.01.2026, in suspending the petroleum storage license in FORM XIV vide license No:

P/SC/AP/14/4494(P135098),

of

the

petitiorier

pending

adjudication of the above Writ Petition. pending disposal of the above writ petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner(S):

1. P V A PADMANABHAM

Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. VARADAM SAI LIKHITH

2. Y V ANIL KUMAR (Central Government Counsel)

3. V V SATISH

The Court made the following:

THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND

WRIT PETITION NOS.32524 OF 2025 AND 2163 OF 2026