Andhra Pradesh High Court - Amravati
Pandranki Madhavi vs The State Of Andhra Pradesh on 11 November, 2025
Author: K Sreenivasa Reddy
Bench: K Sreenivasa Reddy
APHC010382442025
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH
AT AMARAVATI [3327]
(Special Original Jurisdiction)
TUESDAY, THE ELEVENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER
TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K SREENIVASA REDDY
WRIT PETITION NO: 19444/2025
Between:
1. PANDRANKI MADHAVI, D/O. PINNINTI ADINARAYANA,
W/O. SURYA PRAKASH, AGED ABPUT 46 YEARS,
R/O.PSR PURAM, GAJAPATHINAGPRAM, VIZIANAGA
RAM DISTRICT.
2. PANDRANKI SURYA PRAKASH RAO,, S/O.POTHI NAIDU,
AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, R/O.H.NO.4-63, PIDTSEELA
VILLAGE, SRIRANGA RAJAPURAM, VIZIANAGARAM
DISTRICT.
3. KUNIBILLI NARAYANAMMA, C/O.KUNIBILLI VELAMA
NAIDU, W/O. YELLAMA NAIDU, 27 YEARS, R/O.H.NO.1-1,
PEDDA VEEDHI, SRI RANGA RAJA PURAM VILLAGE,
GAJAPATHINAGARAM,VIZIANAGARAMDISTRICT.
...PETITIONER(S)
AND
1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP BY ITS
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY DAIRY
DEVELOPMENT AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT,
SECRETARIAT BUILDINGS, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATI,
GUNTUR DISTRICT.
2. THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR AND CHAIRMAN, THE
DISTRICT LEVEL IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE (DLIC),
ANDHRA PRADESH STATE AQUACULTURE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, VIZIANAGARAM
DISTRICT.
3. THE JOINT COLLECTOR AND MEMBER, THE DISTRICT
LEVEL IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE (DLIC), ANDHRA
PRADESH STATE AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY, VIZIANAGARAM DISTRICT.
SRK, J
W.P.No.19444 of 2025
2
4. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND MEMBER SECRETARY, ,
THE DISTRICT LEVEL IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
(DLIC), ANDHRA PRADESH STATE AQUACULTURE
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, VIZIANAGARAM
DISTRICT.
5. THE ASSISTANT INSPECTOR OF FISHERIES,
GAJAPATHINAGARAM, ANDHRA PRADESH STATE
AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY,
VIZIANAGARAM DISTRICT.
6. THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER, BOBBILI
REVENUE DIVISION, VIZIANAGARAM DISTRICT.
7. THE TAHSILDAR, GAJAPATHINAGARAM MANDAL,
VIZIANAGARAM DISTRICT.
...RESPONDENT(S):
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 of Mandamus or any
other appropriate Writ, Order or direction declaring the action of
the Respondents in not revoking the suspension of aqua license
vide Notice No.340/C/2024, dated 16.10.2024 in terms of the
recommendations of the five-member committee and 4th
Respondent by permitting the Petitioners to conduct aqua
cultivation in Sy.Nos.17-5, 18- 10, 18-2, 18-3, 18-4, 18-6, 18-7,
18-8, 19-3, 19-1, 19-4, 19-6 measuring extents of Ac.0.83 Cents,
Ac.0.38 Cents, Ac.0.92 Cents, Ac.0.26 Cents, Ac.0.13 Cents,
Ac.0.25 Cents, Ac.0.23 Cents, Ac.0.19 Cents, Ac.0.26 Cents,
Ac.0.67 Cents, Ac.0.56 Cents, and Ac. 1.46 Cents situated in
Pidisila Village, Gajapathinagaram Mandal, Vizianagaram District.,
and consequently direct the Respondents to grant license for
freshwater Aquaculture farm insofar as the aforementioned lands
by taking into consideration of the aforementioned
recommendations and pass
IA NO: 1 OF 2025
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 6th Respondent to
forthwith conduct a personal inquiry and submit a report to the 2nd
Respondent as directed by the 4th Respondent in
Lr.No.340/C/2024, dated 14.02.2025 for revocation of aqua
license suspension vide Notice NO.340/C/2024, dated
SRK, J
W.P.No.19444 of 2025
3
16.10.2024 pending disposal of the Writ Petition before this
Hon'ble Court.
Counsel for the Petitioner(S):
1. R SIVA SAI SWARUP
Counsel for the Respondent(S):
1. GP FOR ANIMAL HUSBANDARY
The Court made the following:
SRK, J
W.P.No.19444 of 2025
4
ORDER
Heard the learned counsel for the Writ Petitioners, learned Government Pleader for Fisheries representing respondent Nos.1 to 5 and learned Government Pleader for Revenue representing respondent Nos.6 and 7. Perused the entire material available on record.
2. This Writ Petition was filed seeking the following relief:
"to issue a Writ or order of direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of respondents in not revoking the suspension of aqua license vide Notice No.340/C/2024, dated 16.10.2024 in terms of the recommendations of the Five Member Committee and 4th respondent by permitting the petitioners to conduct aqua cultivation in Sy.Nos.17-5, 18-10, 18-2, 18- 3, 18-4, 18-6, 18-7, 18-8, 19-3, 19-1, 19-4, 19-6 measuring extents of Ac.0.83 cents, Ac.0.38 cents, Ac.0.92 cents, Ac.0.26 cents, Ac.0.13 cents, Ac.0.25 cents, Ac.0.23 cents, Ac.0.19 cents, Ac.0.26 cents, Ac.0.67 cents, Ac.0.56 cents and Ac.1.46 cents, respectively, situate in Pidisila village, Gajapathinagaram Mandal, Vizianagaram District and consequently, direct the respondent to grant license for fresh water aqua culture farm insofar as the aforementioned lands by taking into consideration of aforementioned recommendations and pass such other order or orders ...'
3. Contents of the affidavit filed by 1st petitioner, in brief, are that she gave affidavit on her behalf and on behalf of petitioner SRK, J W.P.No.19444 of 2025 5 Nos.2 and 3 also. The petitioners are the absolute owners and possessors of agricultural lands situate in Sy.Nos.17-5, 18-10, 18- 2, 18-3, 18-4, 18-6, 18-7, 18-8, 19-3, 19-1, 19-4, 19-6 measuring extents of Ac.0.83 cents, Ac.0.38 cents, Ac.0.92 cents, Ac.0.26 cents, Ac.0.13 cents, Ac.0.25 cents, Ac.0.23 cents, Ac.0.19 cents, Ac.0.26 cents, Ac.0.67 cents, Ac.0.56 cents and Ac.1.46 cents, respectively, situate in Pidisila village, Gajapathinagaram Mandal, Vizianagaram District; that upon the applications made by the petitioners to 2nd respondent for issuance of license to dig fresh water fish tanks in the subject lands, vide No.AQNLFWVZ040824, dated 27.03.2022, No.AQNLFWVZ027461, dated 02.01.2022 and No.AQNLFWVZ040805, dated 27.03.2022, the petitioners' applications were approved and granted life time licenses and since then, the petitioners are doing aqua-culture activities without deviation.
(b) A complaint was raised with 2nd respondent through Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS) vide Application, dated 05.08.2024 alleging that the petitioners are raising fish in their tanks by feeding chicken waste, as such, causing air and water pollution; that basing on the same, 4th respondent directed 5th respondent to conduct an inquiry regarding the alleged SRK, J W.P.No.19444 of 2025 6 violation of G.O.Ms.No.56, dated 04.11.2016 and directed to submit a report vide Memo 340/C/2024, dated 09.08.2024; that basing on the report submitted by 5th respondent vide Letter No.Grev/2024, dated 12.08.2024, 4th respondent suspended the licenses unilaterally without issuing any notice to the petitioners, directing them to explain for an indefinite period vide Notice No.340/C/2024, dated 16.10.2024 in utter violation of Rules 24 and 25 of the Andhra Pradesh Aquaculture Seed (Quality Control) Rules, 2020; that the petitioners made a representation on 15.11.2024 to 4th respondent seeking for revocation of suspension, but there is no action and again, made representation through PGRS on 09.12.2024.
(c) Respondent No.4, considering the representation of petitioners, dated 09.12.2024 vide Memo No.482/C/2024, dated 12.12.2024, directed 5th respondent to inquire into the issue in terms of G.O.Ms.No.56, dated 04.11.2016 and directed to submit a report in a week; that 5th respondent with the assistance of Five Men Committee submitted a Report vide Rc.No.Grev/2024, dated 16.12.2024 stating that the petitioners are doing cultivation in consensus of established rules only and the same was also confirmed by the Village Fisheries Assistant, Gajapathinagaram;
SRK, J W.P.No.19444 of 2025 7 that 5th respondent vide Rc.No.482/C/2024, dated 02.01.2025 to 7th respondent, stated to submit a report to the office of 4th respondent and in turn, 7th respondent vide Letter No.105/2024/CC, dated 03.01.2025 informed that he along with Five Member Committee informed that they have no objection to revoke the license for conducting aqua activities in the subject lands.
(d) The request to revoke the petitioners' license suspension vide Note File No.304/C/2024, dated 18.09.2024 is pending before 2nd respondent; that as there is no correspondence on the issue, 4th respondent submitted another to 2nd respondent vide Note File No.340/C/2024, dated 00.01.2025, but, surprisingly, 2nd respondent directed 6th respondent vide Note File No.340/C/2024, dated 12.02.2025, to conduct inquiry and to submit report within a week and the same was communicated to 6th respondent vide Correspondence in Lr.No.340/C/2024, dated 14.02.2025, but till date no action was initiated by the respondents in revoking the suspended licenses for the past several days for no reason. Despite the recommendations made by the Committee constituted in terms of G.O.Ms.No.56, dated 04.11.2016, further directed 6th respondent through 4th respondent to submit a report, SRK, J W.P.No.19444 of 2025 8 is highly illegal, irregular, arbitrary, unjustified and unreasonable. Hence, the Writ Petition.
4. Respondent No.5 filed counter-affidavit denying the contents of the petition-affidavit. It is contended that resident of Pidiseela village raised a complaint through PGRS on 05.08.2024 alleging that the petitioners were raising fish in tanks by feeding chicken waste, leading to health issues to the villagers; that basing on the complaint, a Five Member Committee consisting of the Mandal Revenue Officer (Chairman), the Assistant Inspector of Fisheries (Convener), the Village Revenue Officer (Member), the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector (Member) and the Station House Officer (Member) was constituted to inquire the complaint; that the Committee had submitted a Report stating that the chicken waste and residues were used in fish ponds of the petitioners, and basing on the same, petitioners' licenses were temporarily suspended. Basing on the Representation, dated 09.12.2024 submitted by the petitioners for restoration of licenses, as a first mistake and to follow rules and regulations of fish culture and to take appropriate measures, the Committee submitted for further action regarding restoration of licenses. The file was circulated to the District Collector, wherein, the District Collector SRK, J W.P.No.19444 of 2025 9 directed the Revenue Divisional Office, Bobbili to inquire personally and to submit report. As per the inspection conducted by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Bobbili, and the Mandal Level Committee, it was observed that the farmers' ponds were in proper condition and that, no chicken waste was being used for fish culture and hence, the Committee submitted its report to the District Collector recommending restoration of licenses to the petitioners in accordance with norms.
5. It is an undisputed fact that the petitioners are the absolute owners and possessors of agricultural lands situate in Sy.Nos.17-5, 18-10, 18-2, 18-3, 18-4, 18-6, 18-7, 18-8, 19-3, 19-1, 19-4, 19-6 measuring extents of Ac.0.83 cents, Ac.0.38 cents, Ac.0.92 cents, Ac.0.26 cents, Ac.0.13 cents, Ac.0.25 cents, Ac.0.23 cents, Ac.0.19 cents, Ac.0.26 cents, Ac.0.67 cents, Ac.0.56 cents and Ac.1.46 cents, respectively, situate in Pidisila village, Gajapathinagaram Mandal, Vizianagaram District and they were granted life time licenses to dig fresh water fish tanks in the subject lands to do aqua-culture, vide No.AQNLFWVZ040824, dated 27.03.2022, No.AQNLFWVZ027461, dated 02.01.2022 and No.AQNLFWVZ040805, dated 27.03.2022. However, the factum of the case is that basing on a complaint made before PGRS that SRK, J W.P.No.19444 of 2025 10 the petitioners are causing air and water pollution by feeding chicken waste to the fish in the fish tanks, a Five Member Committee had been constituted consisting of the Mandal Revenue Officer (Chairman), the Assistant Inspector of Fisheries (Convener), the Village Revenue Officer (Member), the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector (Member) and the Station House Officer (Member) and basing on the Report submitted by the Committee, the licenses of petitioners were temporarily suspended.
6. A perusal of the material on record further goes to show that petitioners made an application on 09.12.2024 to the Mandal Revenue Officer, Gajapathinagaram seeking for restoration of their respective licenses. Vide Memo No.482/C/2024, dated 12.12.2024, 4th respondent directed 5th respondent to inspect the fish ponds and to submit report. A perusal of material on record goes to show that as the petitioners, in their representation, stated that they would take remedial measures in avoiding feeding of chicken waste to the fish in tanks, the Committee recommended for restoration of licenses. Vide Note File No.340/C/2024, dated 12.02.2025, a note filed has been made ready to 2nd respondent to revoke the suspension of licenses of petitioners as per the recommendations of the SRK, J W.P.No.19444 of 2025 11 Committee. Basing on the aforesaid note file, 2nd respondent through 4th respondent directed 6th respondent-Revenue Divisional Officer, Bobbilli Revenue Division to inquire personally with regard to the recommendations made by the Committee.
7. As per the averments of the counter-affidavit filed by 5th respondent, it is evident that 6th respondent inspected the fish tanks and it was observed that ponds were in proper condition and that, no chicken waste was being used for aqua-culture and it was recommended to 2nd respondent to restore the licenses of the petitioners. Since the petitioners undertook that they would take remedial measures and would avoid usage of chicken waste in rearing aqua-culture, and as per the contents of the counter- affidavit filed by 5th respondent, it was also noticed by 6th respondent during its inspection that the ponds were in proper condition and no chicken waste was being used for aqua-culture, and since the issue of restoration of licenses of petitioners is pending before 2nd respondent, this Court is of the firm opinion that the matter has to be remanded to 2nd respondent to pass appropriate orders within a stipulated time.
8. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of, remanding the matter to 2nd respondent, with a direction to pass SRK, J W.P.No.19444 of 2025 12 appropriate orders with regard to restoration of aqua licenses of petitioners pursuant to the Inspection Report submitted by 6th respondent-the Revenue Divisional Officer, Bobbili Revenue Division, Vizianagaram District, within a period of four (04) weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this Order.
There shall be no order as to costs.
As a sequel thereto, the miscellaneous applications, if any, pending in this Writ Petition shall stand closed.
________________________ JUSTICE K. SREENIVASA REDDY 11th November, 2025.
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