Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday pulled up the GHMC and HMDA commissioners for not implementing court orders that directed the officials to stop illegal and unauthorised constructions in Survey No.s 203 to 210/1/3 of Manikonda Jagir of Gandipet mandal in Rangareddy district.
The court on March 14, 2023, had directed the GHMC and HMDA commissioners and other authorities concerned to maintain status quo on the land by preventing any further constructions. The court had directed them to submit photographs and videos as on that date.
Despite the specific directions, several constructions came up in the subject property, and no effective steps had been taken by the GHMC and the HDMA to prevent the illegal and unauthorised constructions. It was also brought to the notice of the court that, with the active connivance of GHMC officials, numerous constructions were carried out beyond the permissible limits, in violation of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act, 1955.
The GHMC submitted that it had seized 14 buildings and that further action was being contemplated to stop illegal constructions. The court, after comparing the photographs of 2023 and the present status, noticed that the illegal and unauthorised constructions that were underway at that time had been completed and certain new constructions were in progress.
Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy considered the non-implementation of court orders as contempt and said stringent action would be required for the violations.
Before taking steps to issue contempt orders, the judge directed the GHMC to file a detailed report along with photographs and videos regarding the total number of constructions existing as on date in the disputed land. The court also sought information on the number of constructions for which permission was granted and the number of constructions raised without obtaining any permission.
The court also directed the commissioners to file a report on the number of constructions raised by deviating from the sanctioned plan and action initiated against illegal and unauthorised constructions under the provisions of GHMC.
Justice Bhaskar Reddy sought to know the number of instances where letters had been addressed to the electricity and water departments for disconnection of power and water supply to unauthorised constructions. The court also asked for information on action being taken against officers who failed to prevent the illegal and unauthorised constructions or granted building permission for such constructions.
The report is to be filed on or before July 2. If the departments fail to file the report, the GHMC commissioner would have to appear before the court on that day to explain the reasons for non-compliance.
