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IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA

AT HYDERABAD

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE E.V.VENUGOPAL

WRIT PETITION No.7541 of 2026

DATED : 24-04-2026

Between :

Panuganti Chandra Mouly.

… Petitioner.

And

The State of Telangana, Rep. by its

Principal Secretary, Home Department,

Secretariat, Saiabad, Hyderabad and others.

… Respondents.

ORDER :

The present writ petition is filed by the petitioner under Article

226 of the Constitution of India, seeking the following relief :

“…to declare the inaction of the respondents in suddenly

withdrawing the security coverage of 1+1 gunman to the

petitioner on 31-01-2026 without issuing notice or opportunity

and without proceedings as illegal, contrary to law, violation of

Article 14, 19 & 21 of Constitution of India as well as violation of

principles of natural justice and without jurisdiction.…”

2. Heard Sri MV Rajaram, learned counsel for the petitioner

appeared on-line and Sri Mahesh Raje, learned Government Pleader for

Home.

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3. The petitioner, a 76-year-old retired Assistant

Commissioner of Police, challenges the arbitrary and sudden

withdrawal of his 1+1 security cover by the respondents on 31-01-2026

without any notice, reasons or opportunity of hearing. He contends that

this action is illegal, violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the

Constitution of India and contrary to the principles of natural justice.

The petitioner had a long and distinguished career in the police

department since 1976, serving in highly sensitive and extremist-

affected areas such as Warangal, Nizamabad and Hyderabad, including

in specialized units like the Special Intelligence Bureau and

Greyhounds. Due to his active role in anti-extremist operations,

encounters and intelligence work, he became a specific target of

extremist groups. His life was under continuous threat, evidenced by

multiple assassination attempts, including a direct attack on the police

station where he was posted, resulting in casualties among police

personnel.

(a) Recognizing the grave threat perception, the Government

had provided him continuous security protection since 1983, which

was continued even after his retirement. This protection was also

reinforced by a prior High Court order dated 23-08-2023 in

W.P.No.14423 of 2013 directing continuation of 1+1 security. Despite

the subsisting threat and the Court’s earlier directions, the respondents

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abruptly withdrew his security without due process. The petitioner

asserts that extremist elements and their sympathizers still exist locally

and continue to pose a real and imminent danger to his life, especially

considering his advanced age and inability to protect himself. His

representation dated 03-01-2026 seeking continuation of security was

not considered.

(b) The petitioner submits that the respondents’ inaction is

arbitrary, unreasonable and exposes him to grave risk, thereby

infringing his fundamental right to life and personal liberty. He has no

alternative remedy and therefore seeks a writ of Mandamus for

restoration of his security protection and interim relief pending disposal

of the writ petition.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits the

impugned action of the respondents in withdrawing the petitioner’s

security cover is ex facie arbitrary, illegal and unsustainable in law. The

withdrawal has been effected without issuance of any notice, without

affording an opportunity of hearing and without communicating any

reasons, thereby violating the settled principles of natural justice. It is

further submitted that the respondents’ action is in direct

contravention of the binding order passed by this Court dated

23.08.2023 in W.P.No.14423 of 2013, which directed continuation of

security protection. In the absence of any modification or vacation of

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the said order, the respondents could not have unilaterally withdrawn

the security cover, rendering their action without jurisdiction and liable

to be set aside. Learned counsel contends that the State is under a

constitutional obligation to safeguard