IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) TUESDAY, THE THIRTY FIRST DAY OF AUGUST TWO THOUSAND AND FOUR PRESENT THE HON'BLE SRI DEVINDER GUPTA,THE CHIEF JUSTICE and THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE C.V.RAMULU TAKEN-UP WRIT PETITION No.13609 of 2004 Between: News item of a private TV Channel ..... PETITIONER AND 1.The State of A.P., rep. by Secretary, Social Welfare Department Secretariat, Hyderabad. 2.The Director of Medical, Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of A.P., Hyderabad. 3.The Secretary to Govt., Revenue Dept., Secretariat, Hyderabad. 4.The District Collector, Mahaboobnagar District. 5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Nagarkurnool, Mahaboobnagar District. 6.The District Medical and Health Officer, Mahaboobnagar District, Mahboobnagar. 7.The District Labour Officer, Mahaboobnagar, Mahaboobnagar District. .....RESPONDENTS. Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed herein the High Court will be pleased to issue an order, direction, or a writ more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus to call for the records relating to and in connection into (i) the news item aired by a private TV Channel depicting the pathetic condition of one Chakrapani a widower R/o Tudikurthy, Nagar Kurnool Mandal, Mahaboobnagar District, who is suffering from leprosy at its very advanced stage; (ii) discontinuing of studies by Raju, S/o.Chakrapani aged 9 years a pupil of Govt. School and residing in a Social Welfare Hostel due to his father's suffering from leprosy diseases ad there was none to look after his father (iii) doing work by Raju who is a boy aged 9 years to eke out for himself and his father; and to direct the concerned authorities to consider the feasibility of granting necessary relief as to rehabilitation of Chakrapani and providing education to Raju, son of Chakrapani. Counsel for the Petitioner: Taken-up petition. Counsel for the Respondent Nos.1 and 7: Govt.Pleader for Social Welfare Counsel for the Respondent Nos.2 and 6: Govt. Pleader for Medical & Health. Counsel for the Respondent Nos.3,4 and 5: Govt. Pleader for Revenue. The Court made the following : ORAL ORDER: (per the Hon’ble the Chief Justice) One news item aired by a private T.V. channel depicting pathetic condition of one Chakrapani, resident of Tudukurthy, Nagar Kurnool Mandal, Mahbubnagar and his son Raju, came to the notice of a learned single Judge of this Court. News item reported that Chakrapani is suffering from leprosy and his son aged 9 years studying in Government School had to discontinue his studies to attend his father. Accordingly, the information was treated as public interest litigation, registered as taken-up writ petition and notices were directed to be issued. Counter affidavits have been filed in this Court. Dr. K.Manoramana, District Leprosy Officer, Mahbubnagar states that rehabilitation measures that were taken regarding the patient Vadla Chakrapani, were brought to the notice of the District Collector. The patient is an old case of leprosy and he was given treatment for 24 months from March 1998 to April 2000. After the news item was published on 28-7-2004, as per the instructions of the District Collector, arrangements were made to shift the patient to Sivananda Rehabilitation Centre, Kukatpally, Hyderabad. He further states: Medical Officer, Leprosy Control Unit, Wanaparthy was apprised of the situation and requested to give top priority in this matter. Mr. B.Vishwanatha Chary, Asst. Para Medical Officer of the concerned area was informed to take special interest regarding rehabilitation of the patient. On 30-7-2004 arrangements were made to shift the patient Chakprapani to Sivananda Rehabilitation Centre, Kukatpally, Hyderabad. School facilities are available for leprosy patient kith and kin at Sivananda Institute. Dr. Hrishikesh, Medical Superintendent, Sivananda Institute, Kukatpally was willing to admit Mr.Chakrapani in the rehabilitation centre and his son Raju in the School. Mr. Chakrapani wanted a week time to go with the referral letter given by the District Leprosy Officer, Mahuboobnagar. According to Dr.Hrishikesh, Medical Superintendent, Sivananda Rehabilitation Home, Kukatpally, Mr. Chakrapani along with his son Raju with District Leprosy Office’s referral letter approached him on 9-8-2004 evening hours. They were kept at the Rehabilitation Home with all facilities, so as to admit him next day. But Chakrapani, son Raju refused to stay and after informing the Superintendent Mr. Chakrapani left for his village with the promise that he will return on a later date, but he did not return. Counter affidavit further states that Leprosy Control Unit, Wanaparthy is taking care of all known cases of Leprosy, where Chakrapani received treatment, but the deformities still remain and Sivananda Rehabilitation Home was requested to help in this regard. G.Virender, Alternate School Coordinator, in his affidavit states that after the news item was published, instructions were received from the District Collector, Mahbubnagar, and Mandal Education Officer and Mandal Revenue Officer proceeded to Thudukurthy village and contacted the father of Raju and he was re- admitted in Residential Bridge Course Centre at Devanandanagar, on 30-8-2004. Affidavit of B.Anjaneyulu, Assistant Commissioner of Labour has also been filed stating that it is not correct that the boy was doing work to earn livelihood for himself and his father. It is stated that the boy was re-admitted in the school. In view of the fact that authorities have taken adequate steps to ensure proper education to the son of the leprosy patient and care has been to treat the leprosy patient in a rehabilitation centre, no further directions need to be issued. Writ petition is closed. _____________________ (DEVINDER GUPTA, C.J.) 31st August 2004. __________________ (C.V.RAMULU, J.) ARS To 1.The Secretary to Govt., Social Welfare Department, The State of A.P., Secretariat, Hyderabad. 2.The Director of Medical, Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of A.P., Hyderabad. 3.The Secretary to Govt., Revenue Dept., Secretariat, Hyderabad. 4.The District Collector, Mahaboobnagar District. 5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Nagarkurnool, Mahaboobnagar District. 6.The District Medical and Health Officer, Mahaboobnagar District, Mahboobnagar. 7.The District Labour Officer, Mahaboobnagar, Mahaboobnagar District. 8.Two CCs to Govt. Pleader for Social Welfare, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad (OUT). 9.Two CCs to Govt. Pleader for Medical & Health, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad (OUT). 10.Two CCs to Govt. Pleader for Revenue, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad (OUT). 11. Two CD copies.