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2026:APHC:18527

APHC010217702026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH Bench Sr.No:-77

[3579]

AT AMARAVATI

WRIT PETITION NO: 10859 of 2026

Mahesh Gaddam and Others ...Petitioner(s)

Vs.

The Union Of India and Others ...Respondent(s)

**********

Advocate for Petitioners: Ms. G. Mounika appearing vice Mr.

Vinod Kumar Pemmasani

Advocate(s) for Respondent(s): Additional Solicitor General of India-

R1

GP for Higher Education – R2

Mr. Y V Anil Kumar (Central

Government Counsel) –R3

Mr. Vivek Chandra Sekhar S. – R4

CORAM : T HE CHIEF JUSTICE LISA GILL

SRI JUSTICE NINALA JAYASURYA

DATE : 29^th April 2026

LISA GILL, CJ.

Prayer in this writ petition is for directing respondents to reopen

application portal for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)

2026 (for short ‘NEET UG 2026’) by providing a special one-time window or in

the alternate, permit submission of applications of affected students, who

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W.P. No: 10859 of 2026

studied in Oxford Junior College, Guntur, through an alternate mechanism and

permit them to take NEET UG 2026 examination.

2. This writ petition has been filed by students pursuing intermediate

education at Oxford Junior College, Guntur, formerly Lakshya Junior college

Guntur, which is stated to be affiliated to and recognized by Board of

Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh. This institution was provided with

college code No.14104 and is also providing coaching and academic support

for competitive examinations like NEET, JEE and EAPCET.

3. Counsel for petitioners submits that students and their parents have an

agricultural background and do not possess sufficient knowledge regarding

procedure for submission of applications for competitive examinations. They

thus depended and relied upon assistance from one Mr. Murthy, who was

serving the College as a computer/DTP operator. Said Mr. Murthy used to

assist students in applying for competitive examinations.

4. During previous academic years, several students had sought his help

for applying for NEET UG 2025 and JEE 2025. He had submitted their

applications successfully and students had taken the examinations without

any hindrance. Therefore, believing that he would also submit forms of

present students, petitioners and their parents trusted him and deposited

necessary amounts for submission of applications for competitive

examinations like including NEET UG 2026, JEE Mains and EAPCET.

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However on 08.04.2026, it came to light that certain students, who had taken

assistance of Mr. Murthy for applying for JEE examinations, were issued fake

and invalid hall tickets. Such students were denied entry into examination

centers.

5. Enquiries were then made and it came to light that Mr. Murthy had

fraudulently collected amount from students and had failed to submit their

applications for examinations. Affected students, who were unable to take JEE

examination, lodged a complaint at Pattabhipuram Police Station, Guntur and

Crime No.198 of 2026 dated 09.04.2026, was registered against Mr. Murthy

and College management.

6. It is only when this fraud came to light on 08.04.2026, upon wide

publicity being given that petitioners realized that their applications had also

not been submitted. Last date for submission of applications for NEET UG

2026 was 11.03.2026. Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh,

being apprised of this incident also addressed a communication to National

Testing Agency for extension of time and providing an opportunity to affected

students to submit their applications. Thereafter on 18.04.2026, parents of all

affected students including petitioners submitted detailed representations via

email to respondents but no action, it is stated, has been taken thereon

leading to filing of present writ petition.

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W.P. No: 10859 of 2026

7. Learned counsel for petitioners vehemently argues that petitioners, who

are innocent students having a rural background, should be permitted

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