Hyderabad: The Telangana high court has ordered Nagarkurnool district’s panchayat raj department staff to rebuild a demolished structure at their own expense, after it found that they violated the court’s stay.
Faulting the officials for demolishing a small shop belonging to Katakam Mahesh and Nagalakshmi, a poor couple from Domalapenta village in Amrabad mandal, Justice T Madhavi Devi questioned the authorities’ selective enforcement, noting their reluctance to act against illegal constructions by influential individuals.
The couple, who had operated their corner store for many years with proper trade licences and paid property taxes, received a demolition notice from panchayat raj officials without justification. They challenged the notice in the high court, which granted an interim stay preventing any coercive action.
However, while the stay order was still in force and before filing their counter, the officials had proceeded with the demolition. This action led the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the district panchayat officer (DPO) of Nagarkurnool.
The additional advocate general defended the DPO, claiming they were unaware of their subordinates’ actions. The panchayat secretary and other staff have since submitted undertakings promising to restore the construction.
The court viewed the demolition as an abuse of power, particularly noting how authorities targeted a modest establishment belonging to citizens making an honest living. The judgment emphasises the need for officials to respect court orders and exercise their authority responsibly.
