M. Reddeppa Reddy, v. The State Of Andhra Pradesh,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT HYDERABAD

FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AND THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH **** WRIT PETITION NOs.19961 AND 19962 OF 2012 DATED 26TH AUGUST, 2015 Between:

P.Venkata Siddulu .. Petitioner and The State of Andhra Pradesh, rep. by its Secretary, Home Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad, and others.

.. Respondents

THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR WRIT PETITION NOs.19961 AND 19962 OF 2012 C O M M O N O R D E R The petitioners in these two cases assail the individual endorsements dated 09.04.2012 passed by the Sub-Collector, Madanapalle, Chittoor District, returning their applications for renewal of their gun licences.

Perusal of the impugned endorsements reflect that they are identical and read to the effect that the petitioners' applications along with their original licences were returned on the ground that the Government of Andhra Pradesh had issued orders that the concept of grant/renewal of gun licences for crop protection was abolished with immediate effect as per Government Memo dated 28.10.2010.

The Sub-Collector, Madanapalle, Chittoor District, filed a counteraffidavit stating that the petitioners had been granted gun licences in the year 1987 taking into account their claim that they were residing near a forest area causing likelihood of danger to their lives and to their crops. After expiry of the renewal period, they submitted applications in the year 2011 seeking further renewal. The said applications were forwarded by the District Collector, Chittoor District, to the office of the Sub-Collector, Madanapalle, for enquiry and report. Upon due enquiry, the SubCollector, Madanapalle, recommended renewal of the subject licences. However, it then came to light that the Government of Andhra Pradesh had issued Memo dated 28.10.2010 stating that as hunting of wild animals was prohibited under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the concept of issuing gun licences for protection of crops against wild

animals did not have meaning and accordingly, the grant/renewal of gun licences for crop protection was abolished with immediate effect. It is on the basis of this policy decision that the petitioners' gun licences were not renewed.

In the light of the aforestated policy decision which remains unchallenged, this Court finds no irregularity in the impugned endorsements which merely gave effect to the said policy. The writ petitions are therefore devoid of merit and are accordingly dismissed. Pending miscellaneous petitions shall also stand dismissed. No order as to costs.

______________________ SANJAY KUMAR, J 26th AUGUST, 2015 PGS