Plea In Andhra Pradesh High Court Challenges Advertisements For Political Gain By YSR Congress Party At Public Expense, Seeks Probe

A plea in the Andhra Pradesh High Court has challenged advertisements issued by the State through the Commissioner Information and Public Relations Department since 2019 which allegedly promoted the political interests of the YSR Congress Party at the cost of the public exchequer

It is argued that these advertisements were against the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice R. Raghunandan Rao heard the matter and issued notice to all parties, including Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

The petitioner has contended that the advertisements criticized the previous government and glorified the party in power. He stated that the action of the State was violative of the 2015 guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in Common Cause v Union of India (2015) and also in contravention of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.

The petitioner further prayed to declare the advertisements issued as illegal and the YSR Congress party to be directed to reimburse the costs of the advertisements which were paid to the media.

The petitioner alleged that the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, and the Commissioner of Information were responsible for the illegal publications and prayed that the Court may order the Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

Lastly, the petitioner prayed the Commissioner of Information be directed to furnish information with details of the budgetary allocation to the advertisements in all modes and specify the particulars of the authorities with all details who approved the said advertisements.

“List on 06.03.2024. In the meantime, any advertisement issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh shall be in strict conformity with the guidelines prescribed by the Apex Court in the judgment in Common Cause v. Union of India [2015].”

Respondents are directed to file objections.

WP(PIL).No.29 of 2024

Counsel for petitioner: Sudhakar Rao Ambati

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