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2026 Supreme(Online)(AP) 22287
HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH
Maheswara Rao Kuncheam, J
Pallem Surendra – Appellant
Versus
State of Andhra Pradesh – Respondent
WRIT PETITION NO: 15499/2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Kota Krishna Deepthi
For the Respondents: GP for Home
The state is obligated to consider representations for conducting public meetings in accordance with the constitutional ethos and the fundamental rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.
Headnote:The petitioner approached the Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, challenging the respondents' inaction in disposing of a representation dated 01.06.2026 seeking permission to conduct a public meeting on 28.06.2026. The petitioner contended that the failure to decide on the request violated Articles 14, 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b), and 21 of the Constitution of India. The Court noted that the respondents required certain information from the petitioner to process the request. The primary issue was whether the respondents were obligated to consider and dispose of the representation for conducting a peaceful public meeting. The Court relied on the constitutional ethos and the principle that the right to assemble peacefully is a fundamental right, noting that the respondents expressed willingness to grant permission subject to lawful conditions and the provision of necessary information. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of, directing the respondent No.3 to dispose of the petitioner’s representation dated 01.06.2026, forthwith, within a period of two (02) days, from today, by considering the constitutional ethos in its true letter and spirit.
| Table of Content |
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| 1. petitioner seeks mandamus for the respondents to decide on a representation for a public meeting. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5) |
| 2. requirement to dispose of representations seeking exercise of fundamental rights within a stipulated timeframe. (Para 6 , 7) |
Neutral Citation:______________
Date of reserved for orders: Nil
Date of pronouncement: 23.06.2026
Date of uploading:
APHC010292772026
(Special Original Jurisdiction)
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 an appropriate Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of a Writ of Mandamus, declaring the action of the respondents in not considering and disposing of the petitioners representation dated 01.06.2026 seeking permission to conduct a public meeting on 28.06.2026 from 4.00 P.M. to 9.00 P.M. at Xavier High School Grounds, Xavier Nagar, Eluru, as illegal, arbitrary, and violative of Articles 14, 19(l)(a), 19(l)(b), and 21 of the Constitution of India, and consequently direct the respondents to consider and dispose of the said representation dated 01.06.2026 seeking permission to conduct a public meeting on 28.06.2026 from 4.00 P.M. to 9.00 P.M. at Xavier High School Grounds, Xavier Nagar, Eluru, and grant necessary permission for conducting the proposed public meeting, subject to reasonable conditions and to pass
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 pleased to direct the respondents, to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 01.06.2026 seeking permission to conduct a peaceful public meeting on 28.06.2026 from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Xavier High School Grounds, Xavier Nagar, Eluru, and grant necessary permission subject to such reasonable conditions as may be deemed fit and proper by the respondent authorities, within a time frame stipulated by this Hon'ble Court pending disposal of the above writ petition and to pass
THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE MAHESWARA RAO KUNCHEAM
WRIT PETITION NO: 15499 of 2026
The Court made the following Order:
Instant Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the following relief:
“.... to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in not considering and disposing of the petitioners representation dated 01.06.2026 seeking permission to conduct a public meeting on 28.06.2026 from 4.00 P.M. to 9.00 P.M. at Xavier High School Grounds, Xavier Nagar, Eluru, as illegal, arbitrary, and violative of Articles 14, 19(l)(a), 19(l)(b), and 21 of the Constitution of India, and consequently direct the respondents to consider and dispose of the said representation dated 01.06.2026 seeking permission to conduct a public meeting on 28.06.2026 from 4.00 P.M. to 9.00 P.M. at Xavier High School Grounds, Xavier Nagar, Eluru, and grant necessary permission for conducting the proposed public meeting, subject to reasonable conditions and pass such other order or orders …”.
2. Heard Ms. Kota Krishna Deepthi, learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home appearing for the respondents.
3. Ms. Kota Krishna Deepthi, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner, who is President, Jaibheem Access Justice, West Godavari Unit, with all pre-requisites preferred a Representation dated 01.06.2026 before respondent No.4, seeking permission to conduct a public meeting on 28.06.2026. Thereafter, respondent No.4 in turn forwarded the said representation to respondent No.3 which is pending as on today.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner asserts that they are proposing to conduct meeting on 28.06.2026 between 04.00 PM to 09.00 PM at Xavier High
