Can a High Court Mandamused to Direct Police Action on Complaints Be Withdrawn Without Substantive Adjudication? *No Precedential Change Made When Writ Petitions Under Article 226 Are Withdrawn Before Merits Are Examined*

The Andhra Pradesh High Court permitted withdrawal of a writ seeking mandamus for police action, without examining the underlying legal issues; this decision leaves existing precedent undisturbed and holds no binding or persuasive authority for future cases involving police inaction or writ remedies.

 

Summary

Category Data
Case Name WP/21969/2020 of Perumalla Immanuel, Vs The State of Andhra Pradesh, CNR APHC010331112020
Date of Registration 23-11-2020
Decision Date 02-09-2025
Disposal Nature WITHDRAWN
Judgment Author Dr Justice Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa
Court High Court of Andhra Pradesh
Precedent Value None (petition withdrawn before legal adjudication)
Type of Law Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure (Writ of Mandamus, Police Inaction)
Questions of Law Whether the police are bound to act upon a complaint under Article 226 (Mandamus)
Facts as Summarised by the Court Petition sought mandamus for police to act on complaint; counsel sought withdrawal; petition dismissed as withdrawn.

Practical Impact

Category Impact
Binding On None (no binding value, as no legal issue was adjudicated)
Persuasive For None

What’s New / What Lawyers Should Note

  • The petition under Article 226 seeking a writ of mandamus against police inaction was withdrawn before any legal issue could be adjudicated.
  • No principles were laid down regarding statutory duty, constitutional rights, or scope of mandamus.
  • This withdrawal means the order cannot be cited as authority on police obligations or writ procedure.

Summary of Legal Reasoning

  • The counsel for the petitioner requested withdrawal of the writ petition.
  • The court recorded this submission and dismissed the writ as withdrawn.
  • No merits or questions of law were examined, and the order was limited to acknowledgment of withdrawal.

Arguments by the Parties

Petitioner

  • Counsel submitted, as per instructions from the party, that they wished to withdraw the writ petition.

Respondent

  • Learned counsel for respondents was present; no substantive arguments recorded or advanced.

Factual Background

The petitioner lodged a complaint on 27-10-2020 with local police regarding alleged inaction against certain individuals. He sought a writ of mandamus under Article 226, alleging arbitrary and illegal failure by the Station House Officer to act on his complaint. The petition sought direction for the police to conduct a preliminary enquiry, register a crime, and investigate. During proceedings, counsel sought withdrawal of the petition.

Statutory Analysis

  • Article 226 of the Constitution of India was invoked, seeking a writ of mandamus to direct police action.
  • The judgment did not analyze or interpret any statutory provision, as the petition was withdrawn prior to consideration.

Dissenting / Concurring Opinion Summary

No concurring or dissenting opinions recorded; single judge order.

Procedural Innovations

None recorded; standard withdrawal process applied.

Alert Indicators

  • ✔ Precedent Followed – Status Quo maintained as the case was withdrawn before decision on merits.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Comments

No comments to show.