IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) WEDNESDAY, THE NINTH DAY OF JULY TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE B.SESHASAYANA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO : 14700 of 2008 Between: Smt. C.Padmaja, W/o. Late C.Satyanarayana, R/o. H.No.2-2-1146/16/2, New Nallakunta , Hyderabad. ..... PETITIONER AND Bharath Sanchar nigam Limited (BSNL), Government of India Enterprises, rep by its Divisional Engineer, O/o. Principal General Manager, Suryalok Complex, Gunfoundry, Abids, Hyderabad. .....RESPONDENT 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 and appropriate Writ, Order or Direction, more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring the action of the respondents and his subordinates in threatening the petitioner with dire consequences, filing of the criminal case against the petitioner herein her and further demanding her to forthwith clear the amount of Rs.58,969/- alleged to be the due on telephone bearing No.4651279 without any authority or jurisdiction or basis, as illegal, arbitrary and consequently direct the respondent herein not to take any coercive steps against the petitioner herein, and to grant such other relief or reliefs as Counsel for the Petitioner:MRS.S.NANDA Counsel for the Respondent No.: MR.(SC FOR B.S.N.L) The Court made the following : THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE B.SESHASAYANA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO. 14700 OF 2008 ORDER: 1. This writ petition has been filed by Smt. C. Padmaja with a prayer to issue a writ or direction more particularly one in the nature of writ of mandamus declaring the action of the respondent and its employees in threatening the petitioner with dire consequences of filing criminal case against her and further demanding to clear Rs. 58,969/- alleged to be the amount due by her husband for using the telephone bearing No. 4651279 as illegal and arbitrary. 2. The petitioner is widow of C.Satyanarayana. The said C.Satyanarayana had a telephone connection bearing No. 4651279. There were some dues to be paid by the said C. Satyanarayana and the telephone came to be disconnected during the life time of C. Satyanarayana in the year 1998 for non-payment of bills. According to the petitioner, the employees of the respondent are demanding her to pay the arrears or otherwise face criminal prosecution. Hence, this writ petition with a prayer stated supra. 3. Sri S.S.Varma learned standing counsel takes notice on behalf of Respondent. 4. Heard learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and learned standing counsel appearing on behalf of the Respondent. 5. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the employees of the respondent are frequently visiting the house of the petitioner and threatening with dire consequences. When a question is put to learned counsel for the petitioner, under what provisions the Criminal Case will be booked against the petitioner for non-payment of the dues by the husband of the petitioner, learned counsel is not in a position to explain. Therefore, the contention of the petitioner that the respondent’s employees are frequently visiting the house of the petitioner and threatening to initiate criminal prosecution has no substance. If any threats are made by the employees of the respondent, she is at liberty to present a report before the concerned police and seek necessary protection. 6. With the above observation, the writ petition is dismissed. No order as to costs. _____________________________ Justice B.Seshasayana Reddy 9th July, 2008. KM THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE B.SESHASAYANA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO. 14700 OF 2008 9th July, 2008.