Gottumeeda Rambabu v. The State Of Andhra Pradesh

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE A.RAMALINGESWARA RAO WRIT PETITION No.19127 OF 2016 ORDER:

This writ petition is filed challenging the continuation of the rowdy sheet against the petitioner.

Initially, a counter affidavit is filed by the third respondent followed by an additional counter affidavit, wherein it was stated that the petitioner was involved in three bound over cases and two other cases, where they ended in acquittal. The rowdy sheet was opened pursuant to the order passed by the Sub Divisional Police Officer on 09.11.1999 and the same is being continued upto 03.12.2017.

As on today, no crime is pending against the petitioner and the last bound over case was registered in 2009. However, it is stated that the petitioner participated in Dharna on 09.06.2016, but it cannot be a ground for continuation of the rowdy sheet opened against the petitioner in 1999. This Court time and again held that rowdy sheet cannot be continued mechanically and the authorities have to apply their mind. Since no crime is pending against the petitioner, it is incumbent upon the third respondent to pass appropriate orders for closure of the rowdy sheet, which was opened in 1999. The writ petition is accordingly allowed and the third respondent is directed to pass appropriate orders for closure of the rowdy sheet within a period of two months from the date of receipt of copy of this order. Consequently, miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall also stand disposed of.

__________________________ A.RAMALINGESWARA RAO, J 14.03.2017 pln