Donepudi Rajesh, v. The State Of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. By Its Principal Secretary
THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE A.V.SESHA SAI WRIT PETITION No.4245 of 2015 O R D E R:
This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the following relief:
"To issue a Writ, Order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondent in not closing the rowdy sheet (B Grade) opened against the petitioner on the file of the 4th respondent is illegal, arbitrary and violative of article 14 and 21 of the constitution of India."
2. Heard Sri S.Appadhara Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Home for the respondents.
3. According to the petitioner, he is a resident of Vijayawada and studying B.Tech and a rowdy sheet (B Grade) was opened against the petitioner on the ground that he was involved in criminal cases for the offence punishable under Sections 323, 324 and 506 r/w 34 I.P.C. It is also the case of the petitioner herein that all the cases filed against him ended in acquittal and there are no cases pending against him as on date. It is the grievance of the petitioner herein that basing on the rowdy sheet, the respondents are calling him to the police station without any reason. It is further pleaded that the petitioner herein made a representation to the respondents to cancel the rowdy sheet opened against him and so far no action has been taken by the respondents.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the action of the respondents in continuing the rowdy sheet without there being any criminal case against the petitioner is illegal, unsustainable and is violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India. It is further contended that the petitioner herein is not a habitual offender.
5. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Central Zone, Vijayawada City/the third respondent herein has filed a counter affidavit which shows that the petitioner herein
was found involved in five criminal cases. It is also further clear from the counter affidavit that all the cases registered against the petitioner herein ended in acquittal. It is also stated at paragraphs 5 to 9 of the counter affidavit as follows: "5. It is humbly submitted that, the respondent involved in the following cases:-
1. Cr.No.512/2010, U/Sec.324 r/w 34 IPC at OPatamata E Seva Center, Vijayawada City and the petitioner is A1 in this case, and it was acquitted on 21.01.2012 Vide CC.No.662/2012.
2. Cr.No.442/2011, U/Sec. 324 r/w 34 IPC at High School Road, Patamata, Vijayawada City and the petitioner is A4 in this case, and it was acquitted on 15.06.2012 vide CC.No.473/2011.
3. Cr.No.605/2011, U/Sec.363, 323, 506 r/w 34 IPCT at 4th Road, RTC Colony, Patamata, Vijayawada City and the petitioner is A4 in this case, and it was acquitted on 11.06.2013 vide CC.No.165/2013.
4. Cr.No.370/2012, U/Sec.324 r/w 34 IPC at patamata Lanka, Patamata, Vijayawada City and the petitioner is A3 in this case, and it was acquitted on 28.06.2014 vide CC.No.453/2012.
5. Cr.No.221/2012, U/Sec. 324 r/q 34 IPC at Police Station Bazar, Krishna lanka, Vijayawada City and the petitioner is A3 in this case, and it was acquitted 12.04.2014 vide CC.No.536/2012.
6. Cr.No.395/2013, U/Sec.324, 506 r/w 34 IPC at Siddartha College Center, Machavaram and the petitioern is A2 in this case, and it was acquitted on 18.11.2014 vide CC.No.682/2013.
6. It is further submitted that a rowdy sheet will be opened and maintained over persons who are involving the cases.
a. Who disturbing peace and order in the society. b. A rowdy sheet (Form-D) will be opened under the orders of SP/SDPO against the persons mentioned.
c. Persons bund over under sections 106, 107, 108 (1) (1) and 110 (e) and (g) of Cr.P.C.
d. Persons who have been convicted more than once in two consecutive years under Sec 3 (12) of the A.P. Towns Nuisance Act.
e. A person who habitually tease women and girls and peace indecent remarks.
f. A person who intimate by threats or use of physical violence or other unlawful means to part with movable or immovable properties or in the habit of collecting money extortion from shopkeepers, traders and other residents.
g. Persons who incite and instigate communal/caste or political riots.
h. Persons detained under the A.P. Prevention of Dangerous activities of Bootleggers, Dacoits, Drug Offenders, Gondas, Immoral traffic offences and land-grabbers Act, 1966 for a period of 6 months or more.
i. Persons who are convicted for offences under the representative of the peoples act for rigging and carrying away ballot paper, boxes and other polling materials.
j. Rowdy sheet for the rowdies in one police station are but found frequenting the other police stations area can be maintained at all such police stations.
5. It is further submitted that a close watch has to be maintained on his day to day activities including his movements associates, current doings/plans etc. and necessary entries made as frequently as demed necessary in any case not more than one month period, apart from the checking his current doings, he may be called to the P.S. frequently and his activities, doings ascertained kby the officers in charge of the police station. It there is potential threat to the peace and order from a rowdy or any person, on such a case security proceedings shall be initiated to keep his rowdy activities under control.
6. It is also submitted that all the Commissioners of Police and all the Superintendent of police, are instructed to ensure that rowdy sheets are opened in respect of individuals wherever necessary, they are maintained in a meaningful manner and also the relevant sheets are closed when the threat from a rowdy sheeter ceases to exist.
7. It is respectfully submitted that the petitioner made allegations by the respondent polilce is base less. The Rowdy sheet is opened by the Ass. Commissioner of Police, Central Zone, Vijayawada City, the Rowdy sheeter Donepudi Rajesh is involved in so many grave crimes. The respondent police has put an eagle eye on the rowdy sheeter to prevent grave crimes from him. He is under control of surveillance to maintain Law and Order.
8. It is further submitted that the petitioner herein was involved the above said cases hence the rowdy sheet was opened against him. And the same was continued as he was involved in so many cases.
9. It is further submitted that as per Law, with in stipulated time the proceedings are reviewed by the Competent Authority and extended the period up to 31.12.2105 to maintain the Law and Order by watching the accused in the jurisdiction."
6. As evident from the counter affidavit, the petitioner herein was acquitted from all the criminal cases. It is categorically pleaded that no cases are pending against the petitioner herein as on today and the same is not disputed in the counter affidavit. In view of the said reason, the petitioner herein cannot be
stated to fall uder the category of habitual offender which is essential for opening and continuing rowdy sheet against any person.
7. The justification sought to be offered in the counter affidavit filed by the respondents is contrary to the principles laid down by the judgment of this Court in MOHAMMED QUADEER & ORS v. COMMR. OF POLICE, HYD AND ANR.
8. In the circumstances, this Court finds that absolutely there is no justification on the part of the respondents in continuing the rowdy sheet against the petitioner herein and the rowdy sheet is liable to be quashed and is accordingly quashed.
9. Writ petition is accordingly allowed. However, if the petitioner is found involved in unlawful activities, it is open for the respondents to take appropriate action against him, in accordance with law. As a sequel, Miscellaneous Petitions if any, shall stand disposed of. No order as to costs. ______________ A.V.SESHA SAI,J Date: 15.06.2015 grk
THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE A.V.SESHA SAI
WRIT PETITION No.4245 of 2015 Dated 15TH June, 2015 grk
THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE A.V.SESHA SAI WRIT PETITION No.4245 of 2015 Date:15.06.2015 Between:
Donepudi Rajesh, S/o Siva nageswara Rao, Aged about 23 years, Flat No.301, Vinayaka Towers, Palli Subbaiah Street, Curancy Nagar, Vijayawada, Krishna District.
... Petitioner and The State of Andhra Pradesh, Represented by its Principal Secretary, Home Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad and three others.
... Respondents