Supreme Court questions ‘for dismissal’ tag in Andhra Pradesh HC cause list

The Supreme Court is examining a potential case of bias following the Andhra Pradesh High Court's inclusion of an "improper" two-word caption when listing a 16-year-old attempt-to-murder case. The case, involving a stabbing incident between rivals following a local election in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh in October 2010, centers around K. Ravi, who was one of the knife-wielders mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR).

However, his role was later changed to 'instigator' in the chargesheet, leading to his conviction and a two-year imprisonment sentence. Ravi's appeal to the High Court was dismissed in December 2025. In his subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court, Ravi's lawyer, Sriram Parakkat, argued that his client's conviction was unsafe, as the prosecution had materially altered his specific role in the crime, creating doubt about his actual involvement.

The Supreme Court Bench, comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Alok Aradhe, took notice of the case on September 2, 2026, focusing more on the "for dismissal" caption on the High Court cause list. The court noted that the case was listed under this caption even before the formal pronouncement of the order, which the Bench deems improper in criminal matters.

The Supreme Court has decided to reconsider the case and has issued notice to the State of Andhra Pradesh, scheduling a hearing on October 29.