THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.7022 of 2010 Date:26.07.2010 Between: Satti Sai Rama Reddy. ..... Petitioner AND State of Andhra Pradesh, represented by its Principal Secretary and others. .....Respondents Counsel for the Petitioner: Sri Mangena Sri Rama Rao for Sri Nimmagadda Satyanarayana Counsel for Respondents: Assistant Government Pleader for Home The Court made the following: ORDER: This writ petition is filed for a Mandamus to declare the action of the respondents in opening and continuing rowdy sheet against the petitioner by paying domiciliary visits to his house and business place as illegal and arbitrary. The petitioner was accused in a Sessions Case registered for the offence punishable under Section 302 I.P.C. He was convicted and sentenced for life in connection with the said case in the year 1996. The petitioner was released prematurely for his good behaviour in the year 2004. Following his involvement in the abovementioned case and another case i.e., Crime No.82 of 1993 registered for the offences punishable under Sections 342, 324, 506(2) read with 34 I.P.C. (which also ended in his acquittal), a rowdy sheet was opened against the petitioner on 12.02.1994. The grievance of the petitioner is that though he was set free in the year 2004 after serving the sentence and leading a peaceful life, the respondents have not closed the rowdy sheet and have been harassing the petitioner by interfering with his life and personal liberty, both at his residence and business place. The further grievance of the petitioner is that his representation dated 12.12.2009 made to respondent No.2 for closing the rowdy sheet has not yielded any result. The Station House Officer, Kovvur, filed a counter-affidavit wherein it is inter alia stated that the petitioner was released from the Central Prison, Rajahmundry, for his good behaviour by the Government and that Crime No.82 of 1993 ended in his acquittal. It is, however, stated that in order to curtail the petitioner’s unlawful activities as he has committed murder, a close watch is required to be maintained as there is every chance of his committing offences again. It is further stated that enquiries made by respondent No.4 revealed that the petitioner’s whereabouts are not known since 19.01.2010 and that if any representation is made before the authorities concerned, the same will be considered in accordance with law. The fact that the petitioner has served the sentence and was released prematurely for his good behaviour is admitted by respondent No.4. It is also not the pleaded case of respondent No.4 that after his release in the year 2004, the petitioner has involved himself in commission of any offence. Therefore, I do not find any justification whatsoever to continue the rowdy sheet merely on account of the fact that the petitioner was convicted earlier. The fact that he was released on good behaviour prematurely itself shows that there is change in the conduct and live style of the petitioner. Continuing rowdy sheet against such persons may only lead to the persons with past criminal record becoming hardcore criminals again. The Police shall always make an endeavour to bring a reform in the conduct of the convicts and persons with past criminal record. The respondents have not denied the fact that the petitioner made a representation to respondent No.2 as late as 12.12.2009. Therefore, the statement made by respondent No.4 in his counter-affidavit that the whereabouts of the petitioner are not known from 19.01.2010 does not merit acceptance. However, having regard to the fact that such a statement is made in the counter-affidavit, the petitioner is directed to appear before respondent No.3 within a period of three weeks from today. On his appearing, respondent No.3 shall close the rowdy sheet. The Writ Petition is accordingly disposed of. As a sequel to disposal of the writ petition, W.P.M.P.No.9063 of 2010 filed by the petitioner for interim relief is disposed of as infructuous. ________________________ C.V.NAGARJUNA REDDY, J 26th July, 2010 GHN