IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) TUESDAY, THE NINETEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE P.S.NARAYANA WRIT PETITION NO : 3240 of 2008 Between: 1 Mudiganti Venkata Reddy S/o. Thirupathi Reddy, 2 Chukka Ramulu S/o. Odelu 3 Koyyeda Ellamma W/o. Mallaiah 4 Kotagiri Shankriah S/o. Rathnaiah 5 Muriki Kumar S/o. Hanmaiah All are residents of Challoor village of Veenavanka Mandal, Karimnagar District. ..... PETITIONERS AND 1 The Assistant Commissioner, Endowments Department, Karimnagar. 2 The Executive Officer / Manager, Sammakka Saralamma Jathara, Challoor Village, Veenavanka Mandal, Karimnagar District. 3 Madadi Laxma Reddy S/o. Narayana Reddy 4 Garvandla Chandraiah Goud S/o. Veeramallyu 5 Gaddam Kumar S/o. Mallaiah 6 Gopu Bhagwan Reddy S/o. Laxma Reddy 7 Edunuri Swaroopa W/o. Ashok, 8 Vasam Sandeep Kumar, S/o. Rajaiah, All the respondents No.2 to 8 are residents of Challoor Village, Veenavanka Mandal, Karimnagar 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 or direction most particularly one in the nature of writ of mandamus or any other writ declaring the action of the respondent no.1 in issuing the order in Rc.No.A/4163/2007 dated 13-2- 2008 in so far it relates to adding the respondents No.3 to 8 as members of the committee of Sri Sammakka Saralamma Jathra, Challoor Village, Veenavanka Mandal, Karimnagar District and to pass such other order or orders. Counsel for the Petitioners: MR.K.VENUMADHAV Counsel for the Respondents No.1 and 2: GP FOR ENDOWMENTS Counsel for Respondents 3 to 8: Mr. M.Vidyasagar. The Court made the following: THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE P.S.NARAYANA WRIT PETITION NO.3240 of 2008 ORDER: On 18.2.2008 the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Endowments and Sri Satish Kumar had taken notice and requested time to get instructions. The written instructions are placed before this Court. 2. Sri N.Vidyasagar, learned counsel states that he is representing respondents 3 to 8. 3. The Writ Petition is filed for a Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondent No.1 in issuing the order in Rc.No.4163/2007 dated 13.2.2008 insofar it relates to adding the respondents 3 to 8 as members of the Committee of Sri Sammakka Saralmma Jathra, Challoor village, Veenavanka Mandal, Karimnagar District and pass such other suitable orders. 4. It is stated that the 1st respondent on 11.2.2008 issued the following order: “Office of the Assistant Commissioner, Endowments Department, Karimnagar. Rc.No.A/4163/2007. Dated: 11.2.2008 Sub: Endowments Department – Karimnagar District – Sri Sammakka Saralamma Jathara, Challoor (v), Veenavanka (M) – Appointment of Festival Committee – Orders – Issued – Reg. Ref: Lr.No.Nil, dated -2-2008 from the Inspector, Endowments Department, Karimnagar Division. @@@ In view of circumstances reported by the Inspector, Endowments Department, Karimnagar Division, a Festival Committee is hereby appointed with the following (05) persons to Sri Sammakka Saralamma Jathara, Challoor (v), Veenavanka (M) of Karimnagar District for conducting of Jathara and successful celebration of Jathara. The festival committee will be in the Office for the period from 12.2.2008 to 29.2.2008. 1. Sri Mudiganti Venkata Reddy, S/o. Thirupathi Rededy, R/o. Chaloor. 2. Sri Chukka Ramulu, S/o. Odelu, R/o. Challoor. 3. Smt.Koyyeda Ellamma, w/o. Mallaiah, R/o.Challoor. 4. Sri Kotagiri Shankaraiah, s/o. Rathnaiah, R/o. Challoor. 5. Sri Muriki Kumar, S/o. Hanmaiah, R/o. Challoor. The Executive Authority of the Jathra is directed to conduct oath of office to the above Festival Committee members and report compliance. The Executive Officer/Manager of the subject temple should arrange for peaceful celebration of Jathara festival without any interruption to the public and submit festival report after completion of Jathara. Sd/- ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, 11.2” It is also stated that the self-same 1st respondent, The Assistant Commissioner, Endowments Department, Karimnagar, had made the following order on 13.2.2008, which reads as hereunder: “Office of the Assistant Commissioner, Endowments Department, Karimnagar. Rc.No.A/4163/2007. Dated: 13.2.2008. Sub: Endowments Department – Karimnagar District – Sri Sammakka Saralamma Jathara, Challoor (v), Veenavanka (M) – Appointment of Festival Committee – Orders – Issued – Reg. Ref: 1. Lr. Dt.12.2.2008 of the Inspector, Endowments Department, Karimnagar Division. 2. This Office Rc.No.A/4163/2007, dated 11.2.2008. @@@ In continuation of my orders in the reference 2nd cited are hereby revised in the interest of public and successful celebration of Jathra a festival committee is hereby appointed with the following (11) persons to Sri Sammakka Saralamma Jathra, Challoor (v), Veenavanka (M), of Karimnagar District. The festival committee will be in the office for the period from 14.2.2008 to 29.2.2008. 1. Sri Madadi Laxma Reddy, S/o. Narayana Reddy, R/o. Challoor. 2. Sri Mudiganti Venkata Reddy, S/o. Thirupathi Rededy, R/o. Chaloor. 3. Sri Garvandla Chandraiah Goud, S/o.Veeramallu, R/o. Challoor. 4. Sri Chukka Ramulu, S/o. Odelu, R/o. Challoor. 5. Sri Kotagiri Shankaraiah, s/o. Rathnaiah, R/o. Challoor. 6. Sri Muriki Kumar, S/o. Hanmaiah, R/o. Challoor. 7. Sri Gaddam Kumar, S/o. Mallaiah, R/o. Challoor. 8. Sri Gopu Bhagavan Reddy, s/o. Laxma Reddy, R/o. Chaloor. 9. Smt. Edunuri Swaroopa, W/o. Ashok, R/o. Chaloor. 10.Sri Vasam Sandeep Kumar, S/o. Rajaiah, R/o. Challoor. 11.Smt.Koyyada Ellamma, w/o. Mallaiah, R/o. Chaloor The Executive authority of the subject temple should arrange for peaceful and successful celebration of Jathra festival without any interruption to the public and devotees and submit festival report after completion of jathra. Sd/- ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, 13.2.” 5. The main grievance of the counsel representing the writ petitioners is that without any reason whatsoever the Committee had been reconstituted on 13.2.2008 by adding certain additional members, respondents 3 to 8. 6. In the instructions placed before this Court it is stated that as per the report of the Inspector, Endowments Department, Karimnagar, five persons have been appointed as Festival Committee Members to the subject temple to assist the Manager of the subject temple for making arrangements. Further, the Inspector again on 12.2.2008 reported that in view of successful celebration of festival and in the interest of public and institution, recommended to appoint another six persons as Festival Committee Members. Hence, it appears the revised orders dated 13.2.2008 had been issued. The discretion exercised in this regard cannot be said to be either unjust or unreasonable. The learned counsel representing the writ petitioners was unable to point out any statutory prohibition as such in this regard. Hence, this Court does not see any reason to interfere with the impugned action. 7. The Writ Petition is accordingly dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. -------------------------- 19.02.2008 SSR To 1 The Assistant Commissioner, Endowments Department, Karimnagar. 2 The Executive Officer / Manager, Sammakka Saralamma Jathara, Challoor Village, Veenavanka Mandal, Karimnagar District. 3. 2CCs to G.P. for Endowments. (OUT) 4. 2CD copies Form-NIC-OGS/WP{MSN}