Police authorities are duty-bound to maintain public peace and must consider representations for protection when a party possessing a valid legal license is obstructed by others in exercising their lawful rights.

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BALAJI MEDAMALLI

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 to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS declaring the action of Respondents, more particularly Respondent Nos.2 to 5, in not considering and acting upon petitioners representation dated 30.03.2026 submitted seeking police protection for carrying on lawful quarry operations over an extent of 1.946 Hectares in Sy.No.22/1 P and 2212P of Devarapalli Village, Paderu Mandal, Alluri Seetharama Raju District pursuant to permission in proceedings No. 561/Q1V/2020, dt. 17.12.2020 issued by the Deputy Director of Mines and Geology, Visakhapatnam, as illegal, arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct Respondent Nos.2 to 5 to provide adequate police protection by restraining Respondent Nos.6 to 12 and their associates from interfering with his lawful quarry operations on the said land and pass such

IA NO: 1 OF 2026

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 RespondentNos.2 to 5 to forthwith provide police protection to the petitioner to enable him to carry on quarry operations without obstruction by restraining Respondent Nos.6 to 12 and their associates on an extent of 1.946 Hectors in Sy.No. 22/1 P and 22/2P of Devaraplli Village, Paderu Mandal, Alluri Seetharamaraju District pursuant to permission in proceedings No. 561/Q1V/2020, dt. 17.12.2020 issued by the Deputy Director of Mines and Geology, Visakhapatnam, pending disposal of the main Writ Petition, and pass such

The Court made the following:

ORDER:

The Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following relief:

“…to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS declaring the action of Respondents, more particularly Respondent Nos.2 to 5, in not considering and acting upon petitioners representation dated 30.03.2026 submitted seeking police protection for carrying on lawful quarry operations over an extent of 1.946 Hectares in Sy.No.22/1 P and 2212P of Devarapalli Village, Paderu Mandal, Alluri Seetharama Raju District pursuant to permission in proceedings No. 561/Q1V/2020, dt. 17.12.2020 issued by the Deputy Director of Mines and Geology, Visakhapatnam, as illegal, arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct Respondent Nos.2 to 5 to provide adequate police protection by restraining Respondent Nos.6 to 12 and their associates from interfering with his lawful quarry operations on the said land…”

2. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioner and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home.

3. Ms. Nimmagadda Revathi, learned counsel for the Petitioner, submits that despite the mining licence granted in favour of the Petitioner, the unofficial Respondents are preventing him from carrying out lawful quarry operations. Therefore, the Petitioner submitted a representation dated 30.03.2026 to the Respondent Police seeking necessary aid and protection to prevent interference in the quarry operations.

4. Mr. P. Ajay Babu, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home, on written instructions, submits that the Police officials are bound to maintain public peace and tranquillity and are extend