2026:APHC:26092 APHC010528482025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI [3209]

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

TUESDAY, THE TENTH DAY OF MARCH TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NINALA JAYASURYA WRIT PETITION NO: 27113/2025 Between:

1. A DHIKARI APPA RAO, S/O. CHANDRAIAH, AGED 51 YEARS, OCC.

COLD DRINKS VENDOR, R/O.D.NO.1-263, PODALADA, MARKET ROAD, TATIPAKA VILLAGE, RAZOLE MANDAL, DR.

B.R.AMBEDKAR KONASEEMA DISTRICT.

2. P EKETI SATYANARAYANA,, S/O. GANDHI, AGED 65 YEARS, OCC.LAUNDRYMAN, R/O.D.NO.3-60-1, PODALADA, NEAR UP SCHOOL TATIPAKA VILLAGE, RAZOLE MANDAL, DR. B.R.

AMBEDKAR KONASEEMA DISTRICT ...PETITIONER(S)

AND

1. T HE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, ENERGY DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVTI, GUNTUR DISTRICT.

2. T HE ANDHRA PRADESH EASTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LIMITED, REP. BY ITS CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, CORPORATE OFFICE OF APEPDCL, C/O. 50-27-5/1, TPT COLONY, SEETHAMMADHARA, VISAKHAPATNAM, 530013 VISAKHAPATNAM DISTRICT.

3. T HE SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER OPERATION, ANDHRA PRADESH EASTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LIMITED AT AMALAPURAM, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR KONASEEMA DISTRICT.

4. T HE DIVISIONAL ENGINEER OPERATION, ANDHRA PRADESH-

EASTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LIMITED, RAZOLU REVENUE DIVISION, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR KONASEEMA DISTRICT.

5. T HE ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL ENGINEER OPERATION, ANDHRA PRADESH EASTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LIMITED, RAZOLU REVENUE DIVISION, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR KONASEEMA DISTRICT.

6. T HE ASSISTANT ENGINEER OPERATION, ANDHRA PRADESH-

EASTERN POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LIMITED, RAZOLU MANDAL, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR KONASEEMA DISTRICT.

7. T HE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITYCUM PANCHAYAT SECRETARY TATIPAKA GRAMA PANCHAYAT, RAZOLU MANDAL, DR. B.R.

AMBEDKAR KONASEEMA DISTRICT.

8. T HE ASSISTANT ENGINEER AE, IRRIGATION DEPARTMENT, RAZOLU MANDAL, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR KONASEEMA DISTRICT ...RESPONDENT(S):

Counsel for the Petitioner(S):

1. NIMMAGADDA REVATHI Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR ENERGY

2. V V SATISH (SC for APEPDCL)

The Court made the following Order:

The present writ petition is filed aggrieved by the action of the respondents in disconnecting the power supply to the Service Connection Nos.1414350309001397 and 1414350309001342 as illegal, arbitrary and violative of Article 14 and 21 of Constitution of India and for consequential direction to restore the electricity supply.

2. Heard Mr. P Kranthi Kumar, learned counsel representing the learned counsel for the petitioners. Also heard Ms. Aishwarya Chowdary, learned Junior Standing Counsel for A.P.E.P.D.C.L. representing the respondent Nos.2 to 6.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that pending adjudication of the writ petition, the power supply to the service connections referred to above were restored. In view of the same, he submits that the cause in the writ petition does not survive for adjudication.

4. However, learned Junior Standing Counsel for A.P.E.P.D.C.L., submits that in the light of the directions dated 14.09.2022 in W.P (PIL) No.140 of 2022 & batch, the authorities concerned were taking steps for removal of unauthorized encroachments and as a part of the same, power supply to the service connections in question was disconnected.

5. From a perusal of the directions dated 14.09.2022, it is discernible that before taking any action in respect of the unauthorized occupants/encroachers, the authorities were required to follow the principles of natural justice i.e., issuing notice and providing opportunity of hearing.

6. In view of the same and keeping in view the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioners that the power supply is already restored, this writ petition is disposed of, providing that in the event, the authorities of A.P.E.P.D.C.L. are intending to initiate any action of disconnection, they shall follow the due procedure contemplated under law. No costs. Miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed.

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