High Court Effect: A Step Back By Jagan Govt

The Andhra Pradesh government has informed the High Court that it had revoked the nine GOs issued to withdraw cases filed on the YCP MLAs and MPs in 2020 and 2021.

The counsel of the state home department, Maheshwar Reddy, sought time for submission of the memo regarding the GO issued revoking the nine GOs, to the court.

Earlier, the High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the government withdrawing cases against a few YCP MLAs and MPs. A PIL was also filed against withdrawal of cases against Jaggayyapeta MLA Samineni Udayabhanu.

The court also took suo motu cognisance of the GOs issued to withdraw cases against MLAs Meka Apparao, Rakshana Nidhi and Chittoor MLA J. Srinivasulu. The High Court bench took exception to the government withdrawing cases against the elected representatives without the court’s consent, and in violation of the Supreme Court guidelines.

GOs were issued to withdraw cases against Chilakaluripet MLA Vidadala Rajini, Rajampet MP PV Midhun Reddy, Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu, Jaggayyapet MLA Samineni Udayabhanu, Allagadda MLA Gangula Bijendra Reddy, Rajanagaram MLA Jakkampudi Raja, Nuzvid MLA MV Pratap Apparao, former MP Y.V. Subba Reddy and YCP Virupakshi Jayachandra Reddy.

When the counsel told the court that they would follow the SC directives while withdrawing the cases, the bench observed that the issue was between the petitioner and the elected representatives and not between the court and the elected representatives.

The court made it clear that it would only look whether due procedures were followed while withdrawing the cases. However, the bench observed that it was the courts concerned that should issue orders on withdrawal of cases.

The bench directed the government to submit the GO revoking the nine GOs in the form a memo and adjourned the hearing to October 13.