APHC010052322026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction)

WEDNESDAY, THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NINALA JAYASURYA WRIT PETITION No.3131 OF 2026 Between:

V.Thirupalu, S/o.V.Lakshmaiah, aged 71 yrs, Veg/Non Veg Canteen, APSRTC Bus Stand, Adoni, R/o. H.No.21/405-39, RTC Colony, Adoni, Kurnool District, AP.

...Petitioner AND

1. The State of A.P., rep by its Principal Secretary, Transport, R & B Department, Secretariat, Amarawathi, Velagapudi, Krishna District, A.P., and others. ...Respondents Counsel for the Petitioner : Mr.S.M. Subhan Counsel for the Respondents: G.P. for Transport The Court made the following ORDER:

The present writ petition is filed seeking to declare the action of the respondents in not extending the licence period to run Veg/Non Veg Canteen business at Adoni Bus Station, Adoni, for a further period of one year i.e., from 01.3.2026 to 28.2.2027 as illegal, arbitrary, violative of principles of natural justice as also Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner while referring to the averments made in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition and the material enclosed to it, made submissions to the effect that the petitioner was granted licence for running Veg/Non Veg Canteen at A.P.S.R.T.C. Bus Station, Adoni, vide Office Order dated 01.3.2016, for a period of seven years, which is extendable for three more years i.e., up to ten years. He submits that as the extended period of licence is going to expire by 28.2.2026, the petitioner made a representation dated 24.1.2026 to the respondent No.3 seeking extension of the licence period for one more year i.e., from 01.3.2026 to 28.2.2027 on condition of payment of the enhanced licence fee. He submits that during the Covid pandemic, the petitioner sustained losses in the business and as the Corporation was considering the requests for extension of time as sought for by the private bus operators, who suffered losses due to Covid pandemic, the petitioner made similar request and as no action was taken on the same, the petitioner is constrained to file the present writ petition. He submits that unless appropriate orders or at least a direction to the respondent No.3 to consider the said representation is granted, the petitioner will suffer great hardship and irreparable loss.

3. On the other hand, Mr.Aravala Rama Rao, learned Standing Counsel for A.P.S.R.T.C., made submissions with reference to the instructions received. He has also placed a copy of the Factual Report received from the respondent No.4, for perusal of this Court. He submits that as the licence period in respect of the subject matter Canteen is going to expire by 28.2.2026, the Corporation issued Tender Notification dated 26.11.2025 and after opening the tenders on 12.12.2025, the subject matter Canteen was allotted to one Smt.G.Susheelamma, who offered highest licence fee of Rs.58,221/-. The learned Standing Counsel submits that in fact, the petitioner also participated in the tender process and the said aspect was not stated in the affidavit. He submits that in the light of the finalization of the tenders, pursuant to the Tender Notification dated 26.11.2025, which is not challenged by the petitioner, no relief can be granted. Accordingly, he seeks dismissal of the writ petition.

4. This Court has considered the submissions made and perused the material on record.

5. At the outset, it may be appropriate to note that as submitted by the learned Standing Counsel for the Corporation, which is not disputed by the learned counsel for the petitioner, the Tender Notification for leasing out the subject matter Canteen with effect from 01.3.2026 was issued on 26.11.2025. For whatever reason that might be, the petitioner did not challenge the said Tender Notification. The tender process, according to the learned Standing Counsel, was completed on 12.12.2025 and