El Shaddai Masada filed this mandamus petition seeking to compel the district court to reinstate two dismissed defendants in his civil action. Mandamus is a drastic remedy only to be used in extraordinary circumstances. In re Beard, 811 F.2d 818, 826-27 (4th Cir. 1987). Mandamus relief is available only when the petitioner has a clear and indisputable right to the relief sought and there are no other adequate means for obtaining the requested relief. Allied Chem. Corp. v. Daiflon, Inc., 449 U.S. 33, 35, 101 S.Ct. 188, 66 L.Ed.2d 193 (1980); Beard, 811 F.2d at 826. Mandamus is not a substitute for appeal. In re United Steelworkers, 595 F.2d 958, 960 (4th Cir. 1979). Because Masada has not demonstrated both a clear right to relief and the absence of other means to obtain the relief, we deny the petition.

*111 We grant Masada’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis. We deny Masada’s motion for recusal of the magistrate judge, for sanctions, and to consolidate this case with another mandamus petition. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

PETITION DENIED.