##PAGE1##

IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE N.TUKARAMJI WRIT PETITION No.23418 OF 2016

DATE: 23.03.2026

Between :

Madisetti Samelu … Petitioner

AND State of Telangana,

Rep., by its Principal Secretary to Government, Home Department, Telangana Secretariat, Saifabad, Hyderabad and

three others.

… Respondents.

O R D E R:

This 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 3rd respondent in opening and continuing rowdy sheet against the petitioners on the rolls of 4th respondent as illegal irregular irrational without jurisdiction and violative of provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Police Standing Orders and offends articles 14 and 21 of Constitution of India and consequently quash the rowdy sheet and

2

direct the respondents not to interfere with the petitioner liberty in any manner and pass such other order or orders as the Honble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the

case.

2.1. Mr. Namavarapu Chantibabu, learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the petitioner is a social worker actively engaged in serving the welfare of backward and tribal communities. It is contended that, owing to local political rivalry and his support to landless poor persons, the petitioner has been falsely implicated in multiple criminal cases. It is further submitted that most of such cases have either ended in compromise or have been withdrawn. Despite the aforesaid position, the respondent police authorities, without any lawful justification, opened a rowdy sheet against the petitioner and have been continuing

the same from time to time.

2.2. Learned counsel further contends that the petitioner has not committed any act affecting public peace or tranquility, and yet the police authorities are insisting on his appearance and frequently sending constables to his residence, thereby infringing his fundamental rights. It is specifically contended that the police authorities lack valid grounds or justifiable circumstances either to open or to continue the rowdy/suspect sheet, particularly when the criminal cases against the

3

petitioner have not culminated in convictions. Accordingly, it is prayed that this Court may quash the rowdy sheet.

3.1. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Home, on instructions, submits that the petitioner has been involved in as many as 20 criminal cases, and as per the latest records, a total of 24 cases, including bind over proceedings, have been registered against him between the years 2003 and 2024. It is further submitted that the petitioner is frequently visiting tribal villages, conducting meetings, and instigating local inhabitants to agitate for land and to encroach upon private, Government, and forest lands, thereby creating law and order problems. It is also alleged that the petitioner is involved in unlawful activities such as attempting to grab Government lands and extracting money from gullible members of the public, though due to fear, no one

has come forward to lodge formal complaints.

3.2. It is contended that the continuation of the rowdy sheet is necessary as a preventive measure and that the competent authority has been periodically reviewing and renewing the rowdy sheet in accordance with the Standing Orders. Therefore, it is argued that the

petition lacks merit and is liable to be dismissed.

4. I have perused the material placed on record and considered

the submissions of the learned counsels.

4

5. The record discloses that multiple criminal cases have been registered against the petitioner over a period spanning from 2003 to 2024. The petitioner asserts that he is a social worker engaged in the upliftment of marginalized communities, whereas the respondent police authorities allege that his activities contribute to law and order

disturbances.

6. At the outset,