APHC010473992025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI [3331]

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

WEDNESDAY,THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF APRIL TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE SUBBA REDDY SATTI WRIT PETITION NO: 25153/2025 Between:

1. S RI DHARMA SHASTA CONTRACTORS, , OFFICE AT D. NO. 18-91, KONDAPETA, BANAGANAPALLE, NANDYAL DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH - 518 124 REP. BY ITS MANAGING PARTNER APPAJU MURALIMOHAN RAO ...PETITIONER AND

1. T HE STATE OF AP, DEPARTMENT OF PRANDRD, RWS, EFSANDT, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT

2. T HE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI, GUNTUR DISTRICT.

3. T HE DISTRICT COLLECTOR, DISTRICT COLLECTORATE, NANDYAL, NANDYAL DISTRICT.

4. T HE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, PR(PIU) DIVISION, BANAGANAPALLI.

5. T HE DEPUTY EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, PRI SUB-DIVISION, BANAGANAPALLI.

6. T HE PAY AND ACCOUNTS OFFICER, WORKS ACCOUNT, KURNOOL, KURNOOL DISTRICT

7. T HE ASSISTANT PAY AND ACCOUNTS OFFICER, WORKS ACCOUNT, NANDYAL, NANDYAL DISTRICT.

...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 the action of Respondents in withholding the payments amounting to Rs. 22,68,522.00/- (Rupees Twenty two lakhs ninety sixty eight thousands five hundred and twenty two) even after successful completion of the work and after finalizing the bills in connection with Construction of pipe culvert to Pedda Vagu across approach road to YSR Jagananna Flousing Colony in Kaluvatala Village of Kolimigundia Mandal of Kurnool District having Measurement Book no. 1698- A1 which was sanctioned by way of Progs. No. 112/AM(ENG)/lnfra(Approach Road Levelling)/2021 dated 21.03.2022 of the Collector and District Magistrate, Kurnool as violative of Articles 14 and 21 of Constitution of India and declare the actions of the Respondents as illegal, arbitrary, improper, unjust and consequently direct the respondents to pay the amounts of Rs. 22,68,522.00/- (Rupees Twenty two lakhs ninety sixty eight thousands five hundred and twenty two) with interest 12percentage per annum for the delayed amount till date of realization and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2025 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 DIRECT the Respondents in releasing funds amounting to Rs. 22,68,522.00/- (Rupees Twenty two lakhs ninety sixty eight thousands five hundred and twenty two) even after successful completion of the work and after finalizing the bills in connection with construction of pipe culvert to Pedda Vagu across approach road to YSR Jagananna Housing Colony in Kaluvatala Village of Kolimigundia Mandal of Kurnool District having Measurement Book no. 1698- A1 which was sanctioned by way of Progs. No. 112/AM(ENG)/lnfra(Approach Road Levelling)/202 1 dated 21.03.2022 of the Collector and District Magistrate, Kurnool (Respondent No.3 herein) along with interest 12 percentage per annum and pass Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. VARUN BYREDDY Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR PANCHAYAT RAJ RURAL DEV

2. GP FOR FINANCE PLANNING The Court made the following:

::ORDER ::

Heard Ms. N. Deepika, learned counsel representing Sri Varun Byreddy, learned counsel for the petitioner; Sri P. Rajesh Kumar, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development and Finance for respondents 1, 2 and 4 to 7 and Ms. P. Usha, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Revenue, for respondent No.3.

2. The above writ petition was filed to declare the action of the respondents in not releasing an amount of Rs.22,68,522/- payable to the petitioner for the work executed i.e. „Construction of pipe cu