Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court will continue hearing a writ plea challenging the alleged unauthorised takeover of a private land belonging to farmers, for constructing a government hospital in Gollagattu village, Mancherial district. Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka took on file a writ plea filed by Nenduguri Ranjanna and Nenduguri Shankari claiming that officials encroached upon their land without issuing any prior notice or following the due process of law. The petitioners argued that this action violates Article 300A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to property. The petitioners sought a direction to the authorities against interfering in their peaceful possession and enjoyment of the land. The petitioners further alleged that no compensation or legal proceedings were initiated before the government moved to acquire the land for the hospital project. The counsel for the petitioners contended that a civil dispute is also pending in the matter. After hearing the counsel for the petitioners, the judge ordered notice to the Mancherial district collector and other respondent authorities, including government officials responsible for land acquisition. The matter is posted for further adjudication.
Habeas corpus petition on missing man dismissed
A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court dismissed a habeas corpus petition in connection with a 62-year-old missing person’s case. The panel, comprising Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Justice B.R. Madhusudhan Rao, was dealing with a writ plea filed by Ankith Chowdary, regarding his father, who went missing on January 16. The petitioner argued that his father was mentally unsound and sought urgent intervention from the court to locate him. The assistant government pleader submitted that the police had already commenced an investigation into the matter. The police gathered photographic evidence and stated that sufficient steps were taken to trace the missing person. The panel perused the material records, which indicated that the petitioner lodged a missing person complaint with the police on the same day his father went missing. The instructions submitted on behalf of the state authorities confirmed that the law enforcement authorities were actively pursuing efforts to locate the petitioner’s father Gajananad Chowdary. Speaking for the panel, Justice Moushumi observed that in the absence of illegal detention or other extenuating circumstances warranting a writ of habeas corpus, the case did not meet the criteria for such an extraordinary remedy. The panel noted that the petitioner had already taken appropriate steps by filing a missing person report and the police were diligently following up on the case. With these considerations, the panel dismissed the habeas corpus petition, reaffirming that a habeas corpus writ is not applicable when there is no evidence of unlawful detention.
Formation of new managing panel for Jame Masjid body challenged
The Telangana High Court will hear a writ plea challenging the constitution of a new managing committee for Jame Masjid Qutub Shahi Siddiqe Akbar and its adjoining graveyard at Edi Bazar, Hyderabad. Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy took on file a writ plea filed by its managing committee, represented by its president and secretary, challenging the proceedings issued by the Telangana State Wakf board for appointment of a new managing committee. The petitioners argued that a new managing committee for a three-year term was illegal, unconstitutional, and ultra vires under the Wakf Act. The petitioners further contended that the impugned proceedings were void and arbitrary, as they were issued without due process and contrary to the provisions of the Wakf Act. The petitioners are seeking cancellation of the newly constituted committee and a direction to restore the previous administration. After hearing the counsel for the petitioners, the judge ordered notices to the respondents, including members of the new committee. The judge also directed the government pleader, appearing for the respondent authorities, to get instructions and posted the matter for further adjudication.
Two accused in narcotics case get bail
Justice K. Sujana of the Telangana High Court granted bail to two accused in a narcotics case, pertaining to possession and sale of heroin. The judge dealt with a criminal petition filed by Suresh Kumar and Ramesh Kumar. According to the prosecution, the police registered a suo-motu case based on credible information that an unidentified person had brought heroin from Rajasthan and was selling it near Suryanagar colony, Hayathnagar. During the operation, the police apprehended both of them and recovered 27 grams of heroin. Suresh Kumar allegedly confessed that he had purchased the banned substance from one Heera Ram in Rajasthan and intended to sell it in Hyderabad. Despite the allegations, the petitioners argued that the seized contraband falls under “intermediate quantity”, and they were falsely implicated based on fabricated allegations without corroborative evidence. Counsel for the petitioners contended that all key witnesses were examined and prolonged detention was unnecessary. It was also contended that Suresh Kumar was suffering from HIV, and petitioner no. 2 was a consumer, urging the court to grant bail. The additional public prosecutor opposed the bail petition, stating that the investigation was still ongoing, and granting bail at this stage was not justified. After hearing both parties, the judge observed that the seized contraband was an ‘intermediate quantity’ and the petitioners were languishing in jail from February 1. In view of the fact that the material part of the investigation was completed, the judge deemed it fit to grant conditional bail.
HC takes up hearing on granite quarry endangering public health
Justice T. Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court will decide a writ plea challenging the continuation of granite quarrying and stone crushing operations, which were allegedly endangering public health and agriculture output. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Masipeddi Bhaskar Rao, sarpanch of Gopalpur village, Hanamkonda district, against the inaction of the state mines and geology department and other authorities, in addressing his grievances. According to the petitioner, a representation was submitted seeking a halt to mining, quarrying, granite blasting, and stone crushing activities carried out by Raja Rajeshwara stone crusher in Gopalpur village. The petitioner contended that the authorities failed to act on the representation, leading to continued damage to public health, agriculture, cattle, and flora and fauna. The petitioner alleged that stones, boulders, and stone dust from the quarrying operations pose a severe threat to human life, livestock, agricultural fields and employment in the region. The plea further argues that the mining activities violate the Constitution as they infringe upon the villagers’ right to life and livelihood. The petitioner sought immediate direction to halt all ongoing and future mining operations in Gopalpur village, termination of the leases in order to protect the environment and livelihoods of local residents. The judge posted the matter for further adjudication.
