High Court rebukes Officials over Demolitions

Hyderabad, Sept 30 (INN): The Telangana High Court has reprimanded HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath and the Ameenpur Tahsildar for the decision to demolish alleged unauthorised buildings in Aminpur at short notice. The court questioned the consequences of demolitions in the Full Tank Level (FTL) area of the lake and expressed displeasure with the approach taken by HYDRAA officials.

Multiple petitions filed against the demolition operations in Ameenpur, Sangareddy district prompted the High Court hearing. On Monday, the court took up the petitioners' case. Previously, the court had directed Commissioner Ranganath and the Tahsildar to appear. Ranganath attended the proceedings virtually and provided details of the actions taken. The court, however, warned of action for failing to comply with the law when state representatives could not provide satisfactory responses.

The High Court had issued notices a day earlier regarding the demolition of residential complexes in Aminpur, and it expressed anger at Ranganath for this hasty action. The petitioners argued that they had obtained all the necessary permits from the Gram Panchayat and had completed the buildings over 24 months. The court also reprimanded the lawyer representing HYDRAA and the state revenue lawyer for giving earlier assurances that there would be no unwarranted interference with the properties.

The High Court expressed displeasure that demolitions were being conducted on weekends, during holidays, and even after sunset. The court questioned the necessity of demolition on a Sunday and asked why notices were issued during holidays, followed by immediate demolition actions. The judges reminded the officials that earlier judgments had prohibited demolition activities on Saturdays and Sundays. At one point, the court asked the Tahsildar if he was even aware of these judicial decisions.

Commissioner Ranganath informed the court that the demolition was carried out at Tahsildar's request. In response, the court asked if officials would blindly follow instructions without questioning their legality, raising the hypothetical scenario of demolishing Charminar or the High Court if told to do so. The court stressed that illegal actions should not be undertaken to appease political figures. It commented that even a dying person is given the courtesy of their last wish.

The High Court also questioned whether the demolition activities carried out on Sunday violated the court's orders. The judges asked for clarification on the policy related to such demolition actions and expressed doubts about the legality of these operations. The court also questioned Commissioner Ranganath regarding the legal grounds of his actions, asking, "What does the law say, and what are you doing?" They felt that Ranganath seemed too focused on demolitions without considering other legal aspects.

The court pointed out that, in the past, the High Court had appreciated his work, but this recent conduct raised serious concerns.