Advocates Can't Be Sued For 'Deficiency' In Service Under Consumer Protection Act: Andhra Pradesh High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has reiterated that complaints alleging deficiency in legal services rendered by advocates are not maintainable under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 observing that the services of an advocate are rendered under a contract of personal service, which stands excluded from the definition of "service" under the Act. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 117]A Division Bench of...

Appeal Against Conviction Can't Be Dismissed Merely Because Party Or Counsel Is Absent, Must Be Adjudicated On Merits: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that the absence of the appellant or his counsel is not a ground to dismiss a criminal appeal against conviction for non-prosecution, observing that the appellate court must decide the appeal on merits after examining the record. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 117]Justice Dr. Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa allowed a criminal revision petition filed by a convict in a cheque dishonour case under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, setting aside the...

Bonafide Purchaser Of Court-Auctioned Property Can't Be Prosecuted For Cheating Without Proof Of Conspiracy: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that a bonafide purchaser of a property earlier sold in a court auction cannot be prosecuted for cheating and forgery in the absence of material showing that he conspired with the vendor or had knowledge of the earlier court auction. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 116]The order was passed by Justice K. Sreenivasa Reddy while allowing a criminal petition filed by...

Difference In Nomenclature Can't Deprive College Of Admissions To AICTE-Approved AI Diploma Course: Andhra Pradesh High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that an educational institution cannot be deprived of approval to commence an Artificial Intelligence diploma course merely because of a difference in the nomenclature adopted by the regulatory authorities. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 114]Holding that such a discrepancy cannot override approvals already granted by the AICTE (All India Council for Technical...

State's Officers Can't Use Administrative Powers To Compel Citizens To Abandon Pending Legal Proceedings: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has strongly deprecated the conduct of a Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) who made the removal of land from the prohibited properties list conditional upon the petitioners withdrawing their pending writ petition, holding that executive authorities cannot use administrative powers to compel citizens to abandon judicial proceedings. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 115]The Court...

Vendors Can't Verify Every UPI Customer's Credentials; Their Bank Account Can't Be Frozen Over Buyer's Involvement In Cybercrime: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that vendors accepting payments through UPI apps such as PhonePe and Google Pay cannot be expected to verify the credentials or criminal antecedents of every customer before completing a transaction, and their bank accounts cannot be frozen merely because a payer is subsequently found to be involved in a cybercrime. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 113]Directing the...

Job Aspirants Can't Insist On Retention Of Faculty Posts: Andhra Pradesh High Court Upholds GO Reducing Posts At Sri Venkateswara University

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that candidates seeking appointment as Assistant Professors at Sri Venkateswara University–a state institution, have no vested right to insist upon the creation or retention of teaching posts to facilitate their participation in recruitment. [2026 LiveLaw (Tel) 112]In doing so the court upheld the State's faculty rationalisation exercise in...

Right To Travel Abroad Can't Be Denied Merely Because Visit Is Social Or Celebratory In Nature: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that an accused facing criminal proceedings cannot be denied permission to travel abroad merely because the purpose of the visit is social or celebratory rather than urgent or fundamental. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 110]Setting aside the trial court's refusal, the Court held that the right to travel abroad under Article 21 extends to personal and family...

Fair Price Shop Dealership Can't Be Cancelled Without Enquiry, Even If Dealer Is Temporary: Andhra Pradesh High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court revoked the termination of dealership of a temporary Fair Price Shop dealer based on malpractice complaints and after an MLA's recommendation, noting that enquiry and procedure under State Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2018 was not followed. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 111]Justice Ravi Cheemalapati passed the order in a writ petition filed by...

S.163A MV Act | Legal Heirs Can Claim Compensation Even If Deceased Driver Was Negligent: AP High Court

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that the negligence of a deceased driver does not bar his legal heirs from claiming compensation under Section 163-A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 observing that the provision is a beneficial legislation under which proof of negligence is not relevant. [2026 LiveLaw (AP) 109]Justice Venkateswarlu Nimmagadda allowed an appeal filed by the deceased...

Based On Delay Can't Quash Dept Enquiry Into Grave Charges If Employer Not Fully At Fault: Andhra Pradesh High Court

A Division Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court comprising Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Ninala Jayasurya held that departmental proceedings cannot be quashed merely due to delay in their conclusion; delay must be weighed against the gravity of charges, and procedural time limits under G.O.Ms.No.679 are directory in nature, and not mandatory. Background Facts...

Sub-Registrars Aren't Liable For Revenue Loss If Relied On District Registrar's Verification:AP HC

A Division Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court comprising Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Ninala Jayasurya held that a Sub-Registrar cannot be held solely liable for revenue loss when he relied on verification certificates issued by a superior authority (District Registrar), when no action was taken against the superior authority and there was no proof of...