Venkateswar Rao v. The State Of Telangana,

THE HON'BLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE RAMESH RANGANATHAN AND THE HON'BLE Ms. JUSTICE J. UMA DEVI Writ Appeal No.799 of 2018 Judgment: (Per the Hon'ble The Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan) The dispute in this appeal is on the question whether "Adhi" in the name of Sri Adi Venkateswara Rao is his surname or his first name. Sri G. M. Mohiuddin, learned Standing Counsel for the State Bar Council, would contend that the names of contesting candidates are arranged in the order of their first name, with the surname being shown at the last; and since "Adhi", in the name of the appellant-writ petitioner, is his surname, he was rightly shown in seriatum under the alphabetical order "V".

The submission of Sri K. Ramakrishna Reddy, learned Senior Counsel for the appellant, is that "Adhi" is not the surname, but the first name of the appellant-writ petitioner; his name is reflected as "Adhi Venkateswar Rao" everywhere in the records, including on the rolls of the Bar Council and in the voters' list; even in his nomination, his name is shown as "Adhi Venkateswar Rao"; and his name should, therefore, be reflected at the top of the voters' list under "A" in the alphabetical order, and not under "V".

In the order under appeal, the learned Single Judge has recorded a finding that "Adhi", in the appellant's name, is his surname and has, therefore, upheld the action of the State Bar Council in including the appellant's name under the alphabet "V".

It is wholly unnecessary for us, in proceedings under Clause 15 of the Letters Patent, to undertake an elaborate examination as to whether the first name of the appellant is "Adhi", or whether "Adhi" is his surname, as Returning Officers have now been appointed to oversee elections, to both the State Bar Councils, scheduled to be held on 29.6.2018. Suffice it to modify the order of the learned Single Judge, and

permit the appellant to approach the Returning Officer for elections to the Bar Council of the State of Telangana, Sri Justice A. Shankar Narayana, regarding this grievance of his. We request the Returning Officer to examine the appellant's claim, and take a decision in accordance with law bearing in mind the directions of the Supreme Court requiring elections to be held to both the State Bar Councils on or before 30th June, 2018.

The Writ Appeal is disposed of accordingly. The miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall also stand disposed of. No costs. _________________________________ (RAMESH RANGANATHAN, ACJ) _________________ (J. UMA DEVI, J) 14th June, 2018 Note:

Furnish c.c. by 15.6.2018, b/o pnb

THE HON'BLE THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE RAMESH RANGANATHAN AND THE HON'BLE Ms. JUSTICE J. UMA DEVI Writ Appeal No.799 of 2018 Date: 14.6.2018 pnb