Legal significance of the 2014 circular

The Court considered the circular dated 26 May 2014. The circular addressed laws applicable to the undivided State before bifurcation. Earlier Supreme Court decisions had considered the same Reorganisation Act. Those decisions recognised continuity of pre-bifurcation laws in both successor States. The continuity principle avoids a legal vacuum during transition. A contrary construction would defeat the purpose of the Government Orders. The ACB notification fell within this legal context. The High Court could not disregard it merely because the State was reorganised. (The Joint Director (Rayalaseema), Anti-Corruption Bureau, A.P. & Anr. v. Dayam Peda Ranga Rao | 2026 INSC 37)