The Supreme Court of India, on August 29, 2025, presided over by Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, heard an SLP arising from proceedings before the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The matter stemmed from political rivalry in Tadipatri constituency, where Petitioner Kethireddy Pedda Reddy alleged threats and obstruction in entering and residing in his constituency. On April 30, 2025, the High Court directed police authorities to maintain law and order and ensure the petitioner’s free access.Claiming non-compliance, the Petitioner filed Contempt Case, in which a Single Judge on August 14, 2025, issued detailed directions: providing security for the Petitioner’s stay at Tadipatri, restricting his convoy to five vehicles, capping followers at 50–60, and directing the SHO to record movements and deploy extra police if needed.
The Petitioner challenged these directions, where a Division Bench on August 20, 2025, suspended the Single Judge’s order. The Bench held that in contempt jurisdiction, the Judge could not expand upon the original writ order, and relied on the principle in Midnapore Peoples’ Cooperative Bank Ltd. v. Chunilal Nanda (2006) 5 SCC 399. Aggrieved, the Petitioner approached the Supreme Court, arguing that his safety and rights had been undermined by the suspension of the contempt directions. Before the Supreme Court, Senior Adv Siddhartha Dave submitted that the petitioner was ready to bear all expenses for the security provided under the Single Judge’s order.
By recording this undertaking, the Court kept the Division Bench’s interim suspension order in abeyance, while clarifying that the Division Bench was free to proceed with the appeal on merits. The SLP was thus disposed of, with the security directions issued on August 14, 2025, revived on the condition that the petitioner bears the expenses, while the intra-court appeal before the Andhra Pradesh High Court remains pending.
Appearances:
For the Petitioner: Sr. Adv. Mr. Siddhartha Dave, Sr. Adv. Mr. Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy, and Advs- Mr. Ramesh Allanki, Mr. Aruna Gupta Mr. Syed Ahmad Naqvi, Mr. Venkata Raghuvamsy D. (AOR), Mr. Alabhya Dhamija, Mr. Amrit Rathi, Ms. Manvi Sharma,
For the Respondents: Adv. Sri. R Yella Reddy
