ORDER :

Nyapathy Vijay, J.

1. The present Writ Petition is filed questioning the action of Respondent Nos.1 to 8 in not taking any action against the illegal conversion of agricultural land into aquaculture pond for construction of shrimp tank in Sy.No.996, 996-1A, 996-1B, 997- 1 and 997-2 (total extent of Ac.12.81 Cents) situated in Pallamkuru Village, Katrenikona Mandal, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District by Respondent Nos.9 to 13, which is adjacent to the land of the Petitioners, as illegal and arbitrary.

2. The Petitioners are the owners of an extent of Ac.4.50 Cents situated in Sy.No.995-1, 995-2. While so, the Respondent Nos.9 to 12 (neighboring land-owners) had illegally attempted to construct shrimp tanks and to convert fertile agricultural lands into aquaculture ponds without obtaining necessary permissions from the concerned authorities. Consequently, Petitioners submitted a representation, dated 24.03.2025 against the illegal construction of shrimp tanks by the Respondent Nos.9 to 12.

3. Thereafter, as no further action was being taken by concerned authorities, Petitioners submitted another representation, dated 29.03.2025, apart from raising a grievance through Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS) vide No.KNSM2025033199, dated 31.03.2025. As no further action was being taken in that regard, the present Writ Petition is filed.

4. Counter affidavit was filed by Respondent No.5 on behalf of himself and on behalf of Respondent Nos.1 to 4 and 6. In the counter affidavit, it was submitted that, pursuant to the complaint given by the Petitioners, the Fisheries Development Officer (Respondent No.5), Revenue Divisional Officer, Amalapuram, Deputy Tahasildar, Katrenikona, Revenue Inspector (R.I), Katrenikona, Village Revenue Officer (VRO), Pallamkurru and Village Fisheries Assistant (VFA), Pallamkurru had physically visited the lands on 04.04.2025 and noticed that the Respondent Nos.9 to 12 are having lands in Pallamkurru Village, Katrenikona Mandal, Dr. B.R Ambedkar Konaseema District.

5. It was further submitted that the Respondent No.9 is having an existing aqua tank in an extent of Ac.11.17 Cents in Revenue Survey Number 519, 515, 996, 996, 519, 519, 515, 996, 996, 519 and is having fresh water registration/license issued vide Registration No.AQNLFWKN088060, dated 06.03.2025. It was further submitted that Respondent No.9 is having a land in an extent of Ac.1.40 Cents in Revenue Survey No.997/2. As regards the Respondent No.10, it was submitted that the Respondent No.10 is having an existing aqua tank in an extent of Ac.7.52 Cents in Revenue Survey Number 519, 998/3, 519/1, 996/1A, 996, 519, 998/3, 519/1, 996/1A, 996, 996 and 996/1B, 519 and was having fresh water registration/license issued vide Registration No.AQNLFWKN088445, dated 12.03.2025.

6. With regard to Respondent No.11, it was submitted that Respondent No.11 is having a land in an extent of Ac.7.16 Cents in Survey No.997/1, 2 and 2. As regards, Respondent No.12, it was submitted that Respondent No.12 is having a land in an extent of Ac.0.04 Cents in Revenue Survey No.996. With regard to Respondent No.13, it was submitted that Respondent No.13 is a lease-holder and was not having any land.

7. It was further submitted that Respondent Nos.9 and 10 are having existing aquaculture tanks and are possessing licenses as per Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority Rules-2020 for fresh water aquaculture. As regards, the conversion of an extent of Ac.8.56 Cents in Survey Nos.997/1, 2 & 2, 997/2, it was submitted that Respondent Nos.9 and 11 do not have permissions.

8. In the vacate petition filed by Respondent Nos.9 to 11, it was submitted that during the pendency of this Writ Petition, licenses were issued to the Respondents on 21.01.2026 vide License No.AQNLFWKN114223 under Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority Rules-2020 with regard to the land in an extent of Ac.8.56 Cents in Sy.No.997/1, 2 & 2, 997/2. It was further submitted that, as on