D.Nagaraju vs. The State Of Telangana
Original PDF →Facts
The petitioner, D. Nagaraju, was engaged in the business of collecting and dealing with "Mooku Vasthramulu" at Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam. He emerged as the highest bidder in a public auction for the period 07.04.2025 to 31.03.2026 with a bid of Rs. 44,20,000/- plus GST. The Commissioner, Endowments Department, initially approved his license rights on 30.05.2025 and subsequently extended the license period up to 31.03.2028 based on the petitioner's representation and the Executive Officer's recommendation, vide proceedings dated 29.08.2025. Despite paying license amounts and complying with terms, the Executive Officer (Respondent No. 3) failed to issue consequential extension orders and obstructed the petitioner's operations. Aggrieved, the petitioner filed a writ petition seeking implementation of the Commissioner's orders.
Held
The Court considered the facts, submissions, and the proceedings issued by the Principal Secretary and the Commissioner, along with the detailed report and reminder letter. The Court noted that the petitioner did not dispute the submissions made by the learned Standing Counsel for the respondents regarding the pending decision. The Court disposed of the writ petition by directing Respondent No. 1 (Principal Secretary, Endowments Department) to consider the petitioner's request for the implementation of the Commissioner's orders dated 30.05.2025 and 29.08.2025. This consideration was to include issuing necessary orders for the extension of the petitioner's license for collecting "Mooku Vasthramulu" up to 31.03.2028. Respondent No. 1 was directed to take into account the detailed report dated 30.10.2025 and the reminder letter dated 10.03.2026. The decision was to be passed within two weeks from the receipt of the order, in accordance with law and principles of natural justice, including providing an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner. The decision was to be communicated to the petitioner. No order as to costs was made.
Key Issues
1. Whether the petitioner is entitled to a Writ of Mandamus directing the Executive Officer (Respondent No. 3) to implement the orders of the Commissioner, Endowments Department, dated 30.05.2025 and 29.08.2025, by issuing necessary orders for the extension of his license for collecting "Mooku Vasthramulu" up to 31.03.2028, upon payment of enhanced license amounts, and to permit him to continue his license rights without interference. Petitioner's contention: The petitioner argued that the Commissioner's orders extending the lease period were not implemented by the Executive Officer, depriving him of the benefit of the extension despite his compliance with terms and conditions. He contended that he was entitled to the relief sought in the writ petition. Respondents' contention: The learned Standing Counsel for Respondent No. 3 submitted that following the recognition in favor of the petitioner, proceedings were issued by the Principal Secretary, Endowments Department, requesting the Commissioner to conduct a detailed enquiry. A report was submitted, but no decision was taken by Respondents No. 1 and 2. A reminder was sent seeking a decision and permission for the extension. The matter was still pending consideration before Respondent No. 1, and appropriate directions were sought for Respondent No. 1 to take a decision.
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
The Court made the following: ORDER t E EI II n\;/
IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE SUREPALLI NANDA WRIT PETITION NO.14719 oF 2026 DATE: O4.o5.2026 Between : D. Nagaraju Petitioner And The State of Telangana, Rep. by its Principal Secretary, Endowments Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad and others ResPondents ORDER Heard Smt. Cherukuri Jyosthna Devi, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Endowments appearing on behalf of respondent Nos.1 and 2, and Sri Ch.Satish Kumar, learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of respondent No,3. 2 The oetitioner aooroached the Court seeki o Draver asu der:
2 SN,] W.P.No.I4719 of 2026 "...to issue a Writ, Order or Direction more particularly one in nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS directing the Respondent No.3 (Executive Officer), to forthwith implement the orders of the Commissioner, Endowments Department, dated 30.05.2025 (L.Drs. No.Cl/5736/2025) and 29.OB.2OZS (L.Dis.No.C1l 12193/2025), by issuing necessary orders for extending the Petitioner's license for collection of Mooku Vasthramulu for the period up to 31.03.2028, upon the petitioner paying the enhanced license amounts as per the approved rates and Direct the Respondents to permit the petitioner to continue peaceful enjoyment ot the license rights without any interference or obstruction till 31.03.2029 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law and pass.....,,
The case oft he D tittoner In brief as DErth e rmen ade i the aff avit fi db e e ort of t e oresent Writ Petition ls as under: - ioner i SUD i) The petitioner is engaged in the business of collection and dealing with "Mooku Vasthramulu,, (cloths offered by devotees) at Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam and pursuant to a sealed tender-cum - public auction conducted by the temple authorities for the period from 07,04.2025 to 31.03.2026, the petitioner emerged as the highest bidder with a bid amount of Rs.44,20,000/- plus GST.
3 SN,.] w. P.No.14719 0f 2026 ii) The Commissioner, Endowments Department, Telangana, approved the petitioner's license rights vide proceedings dated 30.05.2025 and subsequently, upon the petitioner's representation and recommendations made by the Executive Officer, further extended the license period up to 31.03.2028 vide proceedings dated 29.08.2025. iii) Though the petitioner has been regularly paying the license amounts and complying with all the terms and conditions, the Executive Officer/respon d ent No.3 failed to implement the orders of the Commissioner by not issuing consequential extension orders and by obstructing continuation of the petitioner's license operations. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioner approached this Court by filing the present writ petition. PERUSED T E RECORD: A) The relevant oortion of the letter issue bv the resoondent No.2-Office of the Commissioner, En owments DeDart ent. T.G., Hvderabad addre ed to the res ondent eEx ffi ri Laksh im wam Devasthanam, Yadaqiriqutta, Yadad ri- Bh uva naq i ri District vide L.Dis.No.C1l 12193/ extracted hereunder: 2025. dated 29.08.2025. is TI
4 sN.l W P.No.14719 of 2026 "In view of the circumstance reported by the Executive Officer, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam, Yadagirigutta, yadad ri-Bhuva nag iri District in the reference 4th cited, the lease term for the license rights for collection of cloths ( Mooku Vasthramulu) offered by the devot€es is hereby extended for a period of three (O3) years i.e., from O1.04.2025 to 31.03.202a. The Executive Officer, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam, yadagirigutta, yadadri-Bhuvanagiri District is directed to take further necessary action in the matter, as per ru les. " DISC USSION AND CONC LUSION: 4, Learned counsel ADDearanq on behalf of the Detitioner ma inlv Duts forth the followino submisslons:
7 In pursuance of the representation submitted by the petitioner seeking extension of the lease/license for collection of cloths (Mooku Vasthramulu) offered by the devotees at Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam, yadagirigutta, yadadri Bhuvanagiri District, the Office of the Commissioner, Endowments Department, Telangana, Hyderabad, vide proceedings dated 29.08.2025, extended the lease period for a further period of three (03) years i.e., from 01.04.2025 to 31.03.2028. 5 SN,] w. P.No.14719 of 2026
2 However, despite the issuance of the said proceedings and the clear direction to take necessary action, the same had not been implemented by the respondent No.3
3 In spite of repeated representations made -by the petitioner and the clear recognition of the petitioner's rights under the said proceedings, the petitioner had been deprived of the benefit of the extension. Based on the aforesaid submissions, learned counsel aooearinq on be f of the oetitioner contends that the ha naf if in entitled for +lr fas ed }.rr +]ra n rl r ra Detitioner in the Dresent writ Detition. 5 Learned Standino Counsel aooearinq on behalf of the resoondent No.3 Duts forth the followinq submissions: a) In pursuance of the recognition in favour of the petitioner dated 29.08.2025, proceedings had been issued by the Principal Secretary, Endowments Department, vide Note No.180/2025-Prl- Secretary Peshi, dated 27.tO.2025, requesting the Commissioner, Endowments Department, to conduct a detailed enquiry into the matter and submit a report within a period of T
I t) SN,] w. P. No.14719 of 2026 two (02) weeks, so as to take further action in respect of the recommendation made in favour of the petitioner. b) Accordingly, a detailed report dated 30.10.2025 was submitted and placed on record. However, no decision has been taken by respondent Nos.1 and 2 as on date. c) Thereafter, a reminder vide Letter Rc.No.T/108/2025 dated 10.03.2026 had been addressed to respondent No.2 seeking a decision on the subject issue and for grant oF permission for the period 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 (i.e., from 01.04.2025 to 31.03.2028) for extension of the license period relating to collection of cloths offered by devotees in yadadri Temple. d) However, the matter is still pending consideration before respondent No. 1. e) Appropriate directions may be issued to respondent No,1 to take a decision on the subject issue, duly considering the material available on record, including the proceedings dated 27.LO.ZO2S, the report dated 3O.7O.2O25, and the reminder letter dated 10.03.2026, within a reasonable period. l I l i I I i : j
7 SN,J W. P. No,14719 of 2026
Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner does not dispute the said submission made by the learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents. 7, TAKING TNTO CONSIDERATION: a) The aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case, b) The submissions made by the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Endowments appearing on behalf of respondent Nos.l and 2, and learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of respondent No.3. c) The proceedings issued by the Principal Secretary, Endowments Department, vide Note No.180/2O25 Pr!-Secretary Peshi, dated 27.1O.2O25, addressed to the Commissioner, Endowments Department, d) The detailed report dated 30.10.2025 submitted by the Commissioner, Endowments Department,
I 8 S N,J W. P.No.14719 of 2026 e) The contents of the reminder letter dated 10.03.2026 vide R.C.No,T/tO8/2O25 addressed to the respondent No.2, f) The discussion and conclusion as arrived at paragraph Nos.4 to 6 of the present order, The Writ Petition is disposed of, directing the respondent No.1 to consider the request of the petitioner seeking implementation of the orders of the respondent No.2-the Commissioner, Endowments Department, dated 30.O5-2025 vide L.Dis. No.C1l5736 TZOZS and dated 29.OA.2O25 vide L.Dis.No.Ct/ t2L9gt2O2S (referred to and extracted above), by issuing necessary orders for extension of Petitioner's license for coliection of Mooku Vasthramulu for the period up to 31.03.2O2g duly taking into consideration the detailed report dated 30.1O.2025 submitted by the Commissioner, and also the reminder letter dated 10.03.2026 of the 3'd respondent to the 2nd respondent Endowment Department, and pass appropriate orders within a period of two(2) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order in accordance to law and in conformity with the principles of natural justice by -_lt I l i j I ! Il I I i I I l I I I I I i
I To, PMK BS sN.l W.P.No.14719 of 2026 providing an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner and duly communicate the decision on the subject issue to the petitioner herein, There shall be no order as to costs. Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in this Writ Petition, sha ll stand closed. .MOHD. ISMAIL DEPUTY REGISTRAR //// SECTION OFFICER 'l . The Principal Secretary Endowments Departnpntpecretariat Hyderabad.
The Commissioner of Endowments, Depah#ent Office at Bogutkunta Hyderguda. Hyderabad Telangana.
The Executive Officer, Sri Lakshmi - Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam Yadagirigutta Yadad ri-Bhuvanagiri District.
One CC to SRI CHEKURI JYOTSNA DEVI, Advocate [OPUC]
One CC to SRI SATISH KUMAR, SC FOR ENDOWMENTS [OPUC]
Two CCs to GP FOR ENDOWMENTS, High Court for the State of Telangana at Hyderabad . [OUT]
Two CD Copies
HIGH COURT CC TODAY DATED: 0410512026 ORDER c WP.No.14719 of 2026 Jo.l ,JL DISPOSING OF THE WRIT PETITION WITHOUT COSTS 1\rg ., iAf6 ?$ffi z6 + iltiy,p':{'? t a,l,
Reproduced from the public record of the Telangana High Court. Verify against the court's own copy before relying on it. Income tax judgments are on bharattax.net.