WP/31301/2024 of K VENKATESWARLU Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh, on 31 December 2024

1. K Venkateswarlu, S/o.Late K.Venkaiah, Age 56 years, Working as HeadConstable (G.No.2243),ChittoorUnit, DCRB ChittoorP.S.ChittoorDistrict.Constable (G.No.2243),ChittoorUnit, DCRB ChittoorP.S.ChittoorDistrict.2. S.Murali Krishna, S/o.Late S.Ramachari, Age 57 years. Working asHead Constable (G.No.2337), Chittoor Unit, CCS Chittoor P.S.ChittoorDistrict.Head Constable (G.No.2337), Chittoor Unit, CCS Chittoor P.S.ChittoorDistrict.

3. P.Raveendra Naidu, S/o. Late P.Govinda Naidu Age 58 years. Workingas Head Constable (G.No.2346), Chittoor Unit,KallurP.S.ChittoorDistrict.as Head Constable (G.No.2346), Chittoor Unit,KallurP.S.ChittoorDistrict.4. S.Amara Narayana, S/o.Late S.Venkataraman, Age 55 years. Workingas Head Constable, (G.No.2363), Chittoor Unit, Sodum P.SChittoorDistrict.as Head Constable, (G.No.2363), Chittoor Unit, Sodum P.SChittoorDistrict.

5. V.Venkata Ramana, S/o.V.Gangulappa, Age 57 years. WorkingasHead Constable (G.No.2368), Chittoor Unit, YadamariP.S.,ChittoorDistrictHead Constable (G.No.2368), Chittoor Unit, YadamariP.S.,ChittoorDistrict

6. B.NeelakrishnaiahChetty,S/o.Late B.Doraswamy,Age57years.Working as Head Constable, (G.No.2552), Chittoor UnitRompicherlaP.S. Chittoor DistrictWorking as Head Constable, (G.No.2552), Chittoor UnitRompicherlaP.S. Chittoor District

AND

...PETITIONERS

1. The Stateof AndhraPradesh,rep.byitsPrincipalSecretarytorep.byitsPrincipalSecretarytoGovernmentHomeDepartmentA.P.Secretariat,Velagapudi,Secretariat,Velagapudi,Amaravathi, Palnadu, Palnadu District.

2. The Director General Police, Mangalagiri, A.P., Guntur District

3. TheDeputyInspectorGeneralofPolice,AnanthapuramuAnanthapuramu District.Ananthapuramu District.

4. The Superintendent of Police, Chittoor, Chittoor District.

...RESPONDENTS

Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is filed prayingthatin the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the HighCourt may be pleased to issue a Writ, Order or direction, more particularlyonein the natureof Writ of Mandamus,declaring theactionoftheRespondentsinnot implementingthe Government Orders,issuedinG.O.Ms.No.212 Home (Legal-ll) Department, dated 06-09-2013, keepinginview of the judgment of the Hon’ble Courtin W.P.No.21172/2014andBatch,dated22-01-2015inspite of confirming the said judgmentinSLP.Nos.7325-7326/2015dated23-03-2018,bytheHon’bleSupremeCourtofIndiaandnotimplementingGovernmentCircularMemo.No.20871/Legal.ll/A2/2014,dated04-11-2015givingeffecttoG.O.Ms.No.212 Home (Legal- II) Department, dated 06-09-2013orders ofDGP., dated 14-12-2015 and Circular Orders of DGP.dated 22-10-2016for granting Notional Seniority and promotion with effect from 01-01-2014on whose favour the S.P., Kurnool passed orders on 19-12-2019 and S.P.,Palnadu, dated12-06-2023, based on the orders of the Hon’bleHighCourtin14443/2020,dated03-08-2022asillegal,arbitrarydiscriminatory and violative of Articles 14, 16 and 21of the Constitution ofIndiaand consequentially declarethat thePetitioners areentitledforfixation of notional seniorityonpar with their colleagues with effect from01-01-2014 with consequential benefit of promotion to the post of ASI., onpar with their colleaguesasper the orders passed by the S.P., Palnadu,dated 12-06-2013.

PetitionunderSection151CPCisfiledprayingthatinthecircumstances stated in the affidavit filedin support of thepetition, theHigh Court may be pleased be pleased to issue an Interim order, directingthe Respondents forthwith to consider the cases of the petitioners hereinfor granting notional seniority on par with the persons in whose favour theS.P.PalnaduDistrict,passedordersinC.NO.66/A1/2022/D.O.No.529/2023dated12-06-2023,S.P.Kurnoolpassedorderson19.12.2019keepinginviewoftheordersoftheGovernmentin MemoNo.14443/2020, dated 04-11-2015,andDGPCircular dt.22.10.2016dulyconsideringthe2representationsofthepetitioners dt. 01.06.2024 and 01.06.2024 pending disposalof theWritPetition.

Counsel for the Petitioner: SRI P V, RAMANA

Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR SERVICESIThe Court made the following: ORDER

APHC010600142024

il®

TUESDAY, THE THIRTY FIRST DAY OF DECEMBERTWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FOUR

PRESENT

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI

WRIT PETITION NO: 31301/2024

Between:

1. K VENKATESWARLU, S/O.LATE K.VENKAIAHAGE56 YEARS,WORKING AS HEAD CONSTABLE(G.N0.2243), CHITTOOR UNIT,,DCRB CHITTOOR P.S. CHITTOOR DISTRICT.WORKING AS HEAD CONSTABLE(G.N0.2243), CHITTOOR UNIT,,DCRB CHITTOOR P.S. CHITTOOR DISTRICT.

2. S.MURALI KRISHNA, S/O.LATE S.RAMACHARIAGE 57 YEARS,WORKING AS HEAD CONSTABLE (G.N0.2337), CHITTOOR UNIT,,CCS CHITTOOR P.S., CHITTOOR DISTRICT.WORKING AS HEAD CONSTABLE (G.N0.2337), CHITTOOR UNIT,,CCS CHITTOOR P.S., CHITTOOR DISTRICT.

3. P.RAVEENDRA NAIDU,, S/0. LATE P.GOVINDA NAIDUAGE58YEARS. WORKING AS HEAD CONSTABLE (G.NO.2346), CHITTOORUNIT,, KALLUR P.S. CHITTOOR DISTRICT.YEARS. WORKING AS HEAD CONSTABLE (G.NO.2346), CHITTOORUNIT,, KALLUR P.S. CHITTOOR DISTRICT.

4. S.AMARANARAYANA,,S/O.LATE S.VENKATARAMANAGE55YEARS.WORKINGASHEADCONSTABLE,(G.N0.2363),CHITTOOR UNIT, SODUM P.S., CHITTOOR DISTRICT.YEARS.WORKINGASHEADCONSTABLE,(G.N0.2363),CHITTOOR UNIT, SODUM P.S., CHITTOOR DISTRICT.

5. V.VENKATARAMANAS/O.V.GANGULAPPA,AGE57YEARS.WORKING AS HEAD CONSTABLE(G.N0.2368), CHITTOOR UNIT,,YADAMARI P.S., CHITTOOR DISTRICTWORKING AS HEAD CONSTABLE(G.N0.2368), CHITTOOR UNIT,,YADAMARI P.S., CHITTOOR DISTRICT6.B.NEELAKRISHNAIAH CHETTY,, S/O.LATE B.DORASWAMY,AGE57 YEARS. WORKING ASHEADCONSTABLE,(G.N0.2552),CHITTOOR UNIT, ROMPICHERLA P.S. CHITTOOR DISTRICT57 YEARS. WORKING ASHEADCONSTABLE,(G.N0.2552),CHITTOOR UNIT, ROMPICHERLA P.S. CHITTOOR DISTRICT

...PETITIONER(S)

AND

w

1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH,REP.BYITSPRINCIPALSECRETARYTOGOVERNMENTHOMEDEPARTMENT,A.P.SECRETARIAT,VELAGAPUDI,AMARAVATHI,PALNADU,PALNADU DISTRICT.SECRETARYTOGOVERNMENTHOMEDEPARTMENT,A.P.SECRETARIAT,VELAGAPUDI,AMARAVATHI,PALNADU,PALNADU DISTRICT.

2. THE DIRECTOR GENERAL POLICE, MANGALAGIRI, A.P., GUNTURDISTRICTDISTRICT

3. THEDEPUTYINSPECTORGENERALOFPOLICE,ANANTHAPURAMU, ANANTHAPURAMU DISTRICT.ANANTHAPURAMU, ANANTHAPURAMU DISTRICT.

4. THESUPERINTENDENTOFPOLICE,CHITTOOR,CHITTOORDISTRICTDISTRICT

...RESPONDENT{S):

Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in thecircumstances statedin the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may bepleased to be pleased to issue a Writ, Order ordirection, more particularlyoneinthenatureof Writof Mandamus,declaringtheactionoftheRespondentsinnotimplementingtheGovernmentOrders,issuedinG.O.Ms.No.212 Home (Legal-ll) Department, dated 6-9-2013, keeping in viewof the judgment of the Honble Court in W.P.No.21172/2014 and Batch, dated22-1-2015,inspiteof confirming the said judgmentinSLP.Nos.7325-7326/2015dated 23-3-2018, by the Honble Supreme Court[of India][ and][ not]implementing Government Circular Memo.No.20871/Legal.II/A2/2014, dated4-11-2015 giving effect to G.O.Ms.No.212 Home (Legal-II)Department,dated 6-9-2013 orders of DGP., dated 14-12-2015 andCircular Orders ofDGP., dated 22-10-2016 for granting NotionalSeniority and promotion witheffect from 1-1-2014 on whose favour the S.P., Kurnool passed orders on 19-12-2019 and S.P., Palnadu,dated 12-6-2023, based on the orders of theHonble High Courtin14443/2020, dated3-8-2022,asillegal,arbitrary,discriminatory andviolative of Articles 14, 16 and 21of the ConstitutionofIndia andconsequentially declare that the Petitioners are entitled for fixationofnotional seniority on par with their colleagues[with][ effect][ from]1-1-2014with consequential benefit of promotion to the post of ASL, onpar with theircolleagues as per the orders passed by the S.P.,Palnadu,[dated][ 12-6-2013]andto pass appropriate order or orders asthis Honble High Court maydeems fit and proper in the circumstances of the case.

Petition under Section 151 CPCpraying that in the[circumstances][ stated]in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleasedbe pleased to issue an Interim order, directing theRespondents forthwith toconsider the cases of the petitioners hereinfor granting notional seniority onpar with the personsin whose favourthe S.P., PalnaduDistrict, passedorders inC.NO.66/A1/2022/D.O.NO.529/2023 dated 12-6-2023,[S.P.Kurnool]passedorderson19.12.2019keepinginviewoftheordersoftheGovernment in Memo No. 14443/2020, dated 4-11-2015,[and][ DGP]Circulardt.22.10.2016 duly considering the 2 representations of thepetitionersdt.1.6.2024 and1.6.2024 pending disposalof the Writ Petition andto passappropriate order or orders as this Hon’ble HighCourt may deemsfit andproper in the circumstances of the case.

Counsel for the Petitioner(S):

1. P V RAMANA

Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR SERVICESI

The Court made the following;

:: ORDER::

HeardSri P.V.Ramana,learnedcounselfor thepetitionersandSriS.Raju,learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services appearing forrespondents 1 to 4.

2. The above writ petition is filed to declare the action of the 4*'^ respondentin not implementing the Government order vide G.O.Ms.No.212 Home (Legal-II) Department, dated 06.09.2013 despite the orderin S.L.P.Nos.7325 and7326 of 2015 dated 23.03.2018 confirming the judgment[in][ W.P.No.21172][ of]2014 and batch, dated 22.01.2015 and also the Government[circular][ memo]No.20871/Legal.ll/A2/2014, dated 04.11.2015 and the[Circular][ Memo][ issued]by the DGPvide Rc.No.674/E3/2016,dated22.10.2016 grantingnotional, seniority and promotion w.e.f. 01.01.2014, as illegal and arbitrary.in not implementing the Government order vide G.O.Ms.No.212 Home (Legal-II) Department, dated 06.09.2013 despite the orderin S.L.P.Nos.7325 and7326 of 2015 dated 23.03.2018 confirming the judgment[in][ W.P.No.21172][ of]2014 and batch, dated 22.01.2015 and also the Government[circular][ memo]No.20871/Legal.ll/A2/2014, dated 04.11.2015 and the[Circular][ Memo][ issued]by the DGPvide Rc.No.674/E3/2016,dated22.10.2016 grantingnotional, seniority and promotion w.e.f. 01.01.2014, as illegal and arbitrary.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that all the petitionerswere appointed as A.R. Constable on different dates in the year 1990. Theywere converted as ConstableinCivilin October 2010. The petitioners areeligible for promotion to the post of Head Constable by October 2013 andlatest by 01.01.2014 against the vacancies availablein the panel year of01.01.2014. Learned counsel would also submit that the minimum period offive years for promotion to the post of Head Constable (Civil) was reduced tothreeyearsbyG.O.Ms.No.212Home(Legal-ll)Department,dated06.09.2013.ThesaidG.O.waschallengedbeforetheAndhraPradeshAdministrative Tribunal in O.A.No.7186 of 2013 and batch by personnel in theCivil Police. Initially, the Hon’ble Administrative[Tribunal][ allowed][ O.A.No.7186]of 2013 and batchbya common order dated30.01.2014andsetasideG.O.Ms.No.212Home(Legal-ll)Department,dated06.09.2013.TheGovernmentissuedG.O.Ms.No.157,Home(Legal-ll)Department,dated15.11.2014cancelling G.O.Ms.No.212 Home(Legal-ll) Department, dated06.09.2013.AgainsttheorderinO.A.No.7186of2013andbatch,W.P.No.21172 of 2014 and batch were filed. The Hon’ble High Court allowedthe writ petitions on 22.01.2015 by setting aside the orders passed by theHon’ble Administrative Tribunal. S.L.P.Nos.7325 and 7326 of 2015 were filedand were dismissed by the Hon’ble Apex Court on 23.03.2018. Thereafter, theGovernmentissuedG.O.Ms.No.38Home(Legal-ll)Department,dated02.04.2015cancellingG.O.Ms.No.157 Home(Legal-ll) Department, dated15.11.2014.were appointed as A.R. Constable on different dates in the year 1990. Theywere converted as ConstableinCivilin October 2010. The petitioners areeligible for promotion to the post of Head Constable by October 2013 andlatest by 01.01.2014 against the vacancies availablein the panel year of01.01.2014. Learned counsel would also submit that the minimum period offive years for promotion to the post of Head Constable (Civil) was reduced tothreeyearsbyG.O.Ms.No.212Home(Legal-ll)Department,dated06.09.2013.ThesaidG.O.waschallengedbeforetheAndhraPradeshAdministrative Tribunal in O.A.No.7186 of 2013 and batch by personnel in theCivil Police. Initially, the Hon’ble Administrative[Tribunal][ allowed][ O.A.No.7186]of 2013 and batchbya common order dated30.01.2014andsetasideG.O.Ms.No.212Home(Legal-ll)Department,dated06.09.2013.TheGovernmentissuedG.O.Ms.No.157,Home(Legal-ll)Department,dated15.11.2014cancelling G.O.Ms.No.212 Home(Legal-ll) Department, dated06.09.2013.AgainsttheorderinO.A.No.7186of2013andbatch,W.P.No.21172 of 2014 and batch were filed. The Hon’ble High Court allowedthe writ petitions on 22.01.2015 by setting aside the orders passed by theHon’ble Administrative Tribunal. S.L.P.Nos.7325 and 7326 of 2015 were filedand were dismissed by the Hon’ble Apex Court on 23.03.2018. Thereafter, theGovernmentissuedG.O.Ms.No.38Home(Legal-ll)Department,dated02.04.2015cancellingG.O.Ms.No.157 Home(Legal-ll) Department, dated15.11.2014.

4. TheGovernmentissuedcircular memoNo.20871/Legal.II/A2/2014,dated 04.11.2015 and directed the learned DGP to take necessary action. Inturn, the learned DGP of Andhra Pradesh issued a memo directing all the UnitOfficers to send the Police Constables (Civil) who are eligible for the post ofHeadConstable(Civil)intermsofG.O.Ms.No.212Home(Legal-ll)dated 04.11.2015 and directed the learned DGP to take necessary action. Inturn, the learned DGP of Andhra Pradesh issued a memo directing all the UnitOfficers to send the Police Constables (Civil) who are eligible for the post ofHeadConstable(Civil)intermsofG.O.Ms.No.212Home(Legal-ll)

Department,dated06.09.2013forpre-promotionaltrainingcourse,inconsultation with IGP, training.

5. Allthepetitionershave completedthreeyearsofserviceasof11.10.2013, and are qualified and eligible for promotion to the post of HeadConstable (Civil). Though the petitioners are eligible, their names werenotincluded in pre-promotional training in respect of the 1993 and 1996 batches.In respect of KurnoolDistrict, the SuperintendentofPolice,KurnoolvideD.No.1424/2019C.No.A1/7904/2013-18,dated19.12.2019(Ex.P.6)considered 51 Head Constables for notional seniority for the years 2014 and2015 as per the eligibility and seniority, keepinginview,G.O.Ms.No.212Home (Legal-ll) Department, dated 06.09.2013 and the circular orders issuedby DGP.Superintendent of Police, Palnadu District also implementedthenotional seniority in respect of 24 Head Constables who were converted fromARtoCivilasper G.O.Ms.No.212 Home(Legal-ll)Department,dated06.09.2013 (Ex.P.13).7.Since the petitioners' cases were not considered, the petitioners maderepresentation dated 01.06.2024 (Ex.P14) furnishing all details to respondents2 to 4. However, there is no response, and hence the above writ petitionisfiled.

8. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Services would submit thatthe 4^^ respondent will consider the representation made by the petitionersand pass appropriate orders keeping in view the order dated 23.03.2018inS.L.P.Nos.7325 and 7326 of 2015 confirming the order[in] W.P.No.21172 of2014 and batch, dated 22.01.2015 and the circular orders issued by theGovernment as well as learned DGP.the 4^^ respondent will consider the representation made by the petitionersand pass appropriate orders keeping in view the order dated 23.03.2018inS.L.P.Nos.7325 and 7326 of 2015 confirming the order[in] W.P.No.21172 of2014 and batch, dated 22.01.2015 and the circular orders issued by theGovernment as well as learned DGP.

9. Given the facts and circumstances of the case, without touching themerits of the matter, the Writ Petition is disposed of, at the stage of admission with the consent of both the learned counsel, directing the 4'^ respondent toconsider therepresentationmadebythepetitionersdated01.06.2024(Ex.P.14) keeping in view the order dated 23.03.2018 in S.L.P.Nos.7325 and7326 of 2015 confirming the judgment in W.P.No.21172 of 2014 and batch,dated22.01.2015andalsotheGovernmentcircularmemoNo.20871/Legal.II/A2/2014, dated 04.11.2015 and the Circular Memo issuedby the learned DGP vide Rc.No.674/E3/2016, dated 22.10.2016 andpassappropriate orders regarding the promotionof the petitionersasper theseniority and entitlement within eight (08) weeks. There shall be no order as tocosts.

Miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed.

SD/- N.NAGAMMAA^SSISTANT REGISTRAR

//TRUE COPY//

N OFFICER

To,

1. ThePrincipalSecretarytoGovernmentHomeDepartment,A.Department,A.P.Secretariat, Velagapudi, Amaravathi, Guntur District.2. The Director General Police, Mangalagiri, A.P., Guntur District.3. TheDeputyInspectorGeneralofPolice,AnanthapuramuAnanthapuramu District.3. TheDeputyInspectorGeneralofPolice,AnanthapuramuAnanthapuramu District.

4. The Superintendent of Police, Chittoor, Chittoor District

5. One CC to Sri P V Ramana, Advocate [OPUC]

6. Two CCs to GP for Services I, High Court of Andhra Pradesh.[OUT]7. Three CD Copies7. Three CD Copies I

high court

DATED;31/12/2024

ORDER

WP.No.31301 of 2024

(fa:2 3 JAN 2C25AOCoA-J-.Current Section>»h^spatcv\^

admission, WlTHOuTco^STr^ STAGE[OF]