'Ganja' Seeds, Leaves Not Banned Under NDPS Act: Andhra Pradesh High Court

In a judgement dated 23.06.2025, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that the definition of 'Ganja' under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), is limited to the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant, and excludes from its ambit the seeds and leaves when not accompanied by the tops.For reference, Section 2(iii)(b) of the NDPS Act, which enacts...

'Woke Up From Deep Slumber': AP High Court Bars Wakf Tribunal From Hearing Land Dispute Decided By Civil Court 45 Years Ago

The Andhra Pradesh High Court allowed a man's plea against the decision of the Waqf Tribunal which had adjudicated on a suit concerning a disputed land, despite the fact that a civil court had decided the matter 45 years ago giving a finding that the disputed property is not a waqf property. The court thus said that the Waqf Tribunal does not have the power to adjudicate any case which is...

AP High Court Rejects Govt Employee's Plea To Change Date Of Birth Ahead Of Superannuation, Points He Accepted Seniority Based On It

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has rejected the plea of a retired employee of the Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL), who sought alteration in his Date of Birth (DOB) in the official service records, after having received all promotions and service benefits based on the same date.In this regard, Justice Maheswara Rao Kuncheam observed,“Petitioner at the fag...

Transgender Woman In Heterosexual Marriage Can File Complaint Against Husband, In-Laws U/S 498A IPC: Andhra Pradesh High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that a transgender woman in heterosexual marriage can file a complaint against her husband and in-laws under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code.Justice Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa empahsized that a transgender woman, identifying as a female and living in a marital relationship with a man, cannot be excluded from the protection of laws meant to...

AP High Court Orders Police Protection For Indian Cement Ltd Amid Labour Agitation, Says It Cannot Be 'Left To Bleed'

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the State authorities to extend effective police protection to Indian Cement Limited (petitioner), a subsidiary of UltraTech Cements, in light of escalating tensions and disruption of operations caused by contract labourers, allegedly upon the instigation of a local politician.Taking serious note of the law and order situation prevailing in the...

Bank's Right Of Recovery Under RDB Act Prevails Over State's Right Under VAT Act Due To Priority Given To Secured Creditors: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has upheld the right of Central Bank of India (petitioner) to recover its secured debts by sale of the mortgaged assets under the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (RDB Act), and has ruled that it assumes priority over the claims of the State Government for recovery of dues under the Andhra Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, 2005 (AP VAT Act).On account...

Andhra Pradesh High Court Denies Bail To Former APPSC Secretary Over Irregularities In Manual Evaluation Of Papers

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has refused to grant bail to former Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (A1) and a representative of M/s. Camsign Media Pvt. Ltd. (A2), a private company entrusted with the manual evaluation of Group-I main exam answer scripts, who were accused of criminal breach of trust and irregularities in the manual evaluation process, including shifting...

“Bidder Can't Dictate Tender Conditions”: AP High Court Upholds ₹10 Crore Turnover Threshold For Empanelment Of Textbook Publishers

In a judgment dated May 06, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has upheld the enhancement of the minimum annual turnover threshold for bidders—from five crores to ten crores—for qualification under a Government Tender issued for printing and distribution of school textbooks/workbooks for students studying in private schools for the Academic Years 2025-2026 & 2026-2027.Reaffirming the right...

AP High Court Quashes Senior Teacher's Transfer Under Pretext Of Adjusting Surplus Staff, Says Junior Teachers Should Have Been Transferred First

The Andhra Pradesh High Court granted relief to a senior-most high school teacher who was transferred despite the presence of two junior teachers, under the pretext of adjusting surplus aided staff to needy aided schools in the Nandyal District.The plea sought a direction to declare the State's January 16 order as unconstitutional which proposed deputation of the petitioner to SRKGV Aided...

Unequal Scholarship To School Without Reasons Reflects Discrimination: AP High Court Asks State To Reconsider Sanctioned Amount

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the State Government to consider enhancing the pre-matric scholarship amount for M/s Chaitanya High School—a school selected under the Best Available Schools (BAS) Scheme in SPSR Nellore District—on par with similar schools in other districts who were sanctioned a higher amount.Highlighting that no reasons were accorded explaining the denial of...

Andhra Pradesh HC Strikes Down Computer-Based Test Method For Appointment Of Teachers At Schools Receiving Grant-In-Aid

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has struck down the Computer-Based Test (CBT) method for the selection and appointment of teachers in schools receiving grant-in-aid.In the absence of a legislation permitting the Executive to introduce a new system of selection and appointment of teachers, Justice Gannamaneni Ramakrishna Prasad held, "Howsoever laudable the object of the proposed conduct of...

Andhra Pradesh High Court Upholds Waqf Board's Power To Take Over Mosque Management Despite Existence Of Judicial Scheme

In a significant ruling, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that the Waqf Board is authorised under Section 65(5) of the Waqf Act, 1995 (Act of 1995) to take over the management of a mosque in cases of evident mismanagement, despite the existence of a judicially formulated scheme governing the management of the mosque.In the present case, the mismanagement of Shahji Jamia Mosque, Adoni,...