Andhra Pradesh High Court Quashes Rowdy Sheet Against Nagireddi Satish Kumar

Court emphasizes the need for due diligence and review in the maintenance of rowdy sheets, highlighting that a single crime does not justify their continuation.

In a significant judgment, the Andhra Pradesh High Court, presided over by Dr. Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa, J., has set aside the rowdy sheet against Nagireddi Satish Kumar @ James and others. The judgment underscores the importance of due diligence and periodic review when dealing with rowdy sheets, stating that they should not be opened or maintained casually or mechanically.

The petitioners, represented by counsel P.B. Narasimha Murty, were implicated in a single crime under Section 307 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). They contended that this single case, registered as Crime No.115 of 2021 at Eluru I Town Police Station, did not pertain to any breach of public peace or tranquility, and no other cases were pending against them.

The Assistant Government Pleader for Home, Sri V. Farooq, acknowledged that apart from this one crime, there were no other charges against the petitioners.

Referring to the precedent set in the case of Sunkara Satyanarayana v. State of Andhra Pradesh, the court reiterated that rowdy sheets should not be opened against individuals in a casual manner. The court stressed that characterizing someone as a rowdy requires careful consideration, particularly regarding whether the alleged actions have a tendency to disturb public peace and tranquility.

The judgment clarified that a review committee must annually assess the necessity of continuing a rowdy sheet. In this instance, the court found the continuation of the rowdy sheet against the petitioners to be an abuse of the judicial process, given the lack of additional cases or disturbances linked to them.

Consequently, the writ petition was allowed, and the rowdy sheet against Nagireddi Satish Kumar and others was set aside. The court’s decision reinforces the need for meticulous and thoughtful police action in the context of rowdy sheets, safeguarding against potential misuse and ensuring respect for individuals' rights.

Bottom Line:

Rowdy sheets cannot be opened casually or mechanically; essential care and review are mandatory before maintaining such sheets, and mere implication in a single crime does not justify continuation of a rowdy sheet unless it relates to disturbance of public peace and tranquility.

Statutory provision(s): Article 226 of the Constitution of India, Section 307 IPC, Section 34 IPC.

Nagireddi Satish Kumar @ James, Sri. Nagireddi Satish Kumar @ James v. State of Andhra Pradesh, (Andhra Pradesh) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2810683