Hyderabad: The Telangana high court on Thursday cautioned the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) that all its activities, except those involving water bodies and nalas, could be stalled if it continues functioning in its present manner.“Please formalise your actions, otherwise it will be difficult. I am cautioning you. I’ll have to stall all actions of HYDRAA except for water bodies and nalas because nobody knows what you are doing,” said Justice B Vijaysen Reddy while hearing a petition filed by Sandhya Group challenging the demolition of its structures at FCI Layout, Gachibowli, on Nov 17.The judge directed both HYDRAA and the Sandhya Group not to enter the disputed site for the next 15 days, while allowing individual plot owners to access their respective plots.Earlier, additional advocate general (AAG) Mohd Imran Khan, representing HYDRAA, informed the court about the grounds for the demolition, stating that due process was followed and that, despite multiple notices, the firm did not respond. He said the demolitions were carried out after 6 am to clear encroachments on the layout’s roads.Objecting strongly to the timing, the judge questioned the need to rush to the site so early and pointed out that the notices did not clearly specify encroached roads or plots. He also asked how measurements of encroachments were determined.Warning of the consequences of unchecked actions, the judge remarked, “Tomorrow a day will come when a person or authority is conferred with unlimited powers, and you yourself cannot control him (HYDRAA).”He further noted the lack of clarity on HYDRAA’s standard operating procedures, limitations, and governing statutes. “Nobody is clear on what HYDRAA has to do or on what basis it is carrying out its activities. Even government counsels, HYDRAA counsels, nobody is aware. I have been hearing HYDRAA cases for eight months; still I do not know what they are doing. Every case they come with a new provision, a new argument, a new ground,” he said.Justice Reddy advised HYDRAA to change its working style if it cannot explain its structure and powers to the court. Asking AAG Khan whether it was difficult to advise HYDRAA on these aspects, the judge expressed hope that he “would advise them”.Dictating the order, the judge said HYDRAA’s scope must be examined. “What is the scope of its powers? Is HYDRAA following any SOP or acting under the provisions of the GHMC Act? These aspects require detailed consideration,” he said.Ruling that the matter requires further examination, the judge directed the Sandhya Group not to undertake any construction at the site for 15 days. “At the same time, HYDRAA, its subordinates, and officials are directed not to enter the site,” he added.The judge also directed AAG Khan and the petitioners to file a copy of the FCI layout and concluded that the chief secretary is not a necessary party in the contempt petition filed by the Sandhya Group.
