Hyderabad: Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court ruled that when the allegations fail to meet the threshold for a cognisable offence or are intrinsically bound to a civil dispute, continuing criminal proceedings would constitute an abuse of the process.
The judge quashed criminal proceedings against Lingala Venkatesh Goud and five family members accused of conspiracy, forgery and cheating in connection with a property dispute involving close relatives. The dispute originated from a complaint filed by a woman who alleged that her brother, along with other family members, conspired to usurp a 200-square-yard property in Bahadurpally that legally belonged to her children.
The de facto complainant claimed the accused fabricated an agreement of sale by forging her and her husband’s signatures and used the forged document to obtain an injunction in a civil court. When she confronted them, she alleged, the family members abused and assaulted her, prompting her to file the criminal complaint.
Counsel for the petitioners argued that the case was a civil dispute between family members and did not warrant criminal prosecution. It was emphasised that the property was not in the name of the complainant or her husband, but in the names of their adult children, which made the legality of the sale agreement questionable. The petitioners contended that the FIR and chargesheet lacked specific allegations and failed to disclose the necessary ingredients of the alleged offences under the IPC. The judge found several lapses in the investigation, including the failure to record statements from witnesses to the disputed sale agreement.
The judge noted that out of the nine witnesses listed, four were the complainant and her family members, and the remaining five were either panch or official witnesses — none of whom were direct, independent witnesses to the alleged crimes. The judge also noted that no specific details were provided regarding the alleged abuse or assault and there was no allegation of common intention among all the accused.
The judge observed that the complainant and petitioner, being siblings with a history of family disputes, may have resorted to criminal litigation to settle personal scores.
Kothakota Told To Act On Illegal Construction
Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court directed the Kothakota municipal
The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Kaderi Ram Mohan Reddy, who complained that despite panchnamas and confirmations from municipal officials, no action was taken to halt the illegal construction by K. Ranga Reddy over a public pathway and concrete drainage line in Vidyanagar Colony, Wanaparthy district.
The petitioner contended that the drain, constructed with gram panchayat funds, was essential for sewage management and the encroachment had led to sewage overflow, foul smell and health hazards in the locality.He sought demolition of the unauthorised structure, declaration of the public land as government property, constitution of a district task force under the Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019, and police protection during enforcement. The judge posted the matter for further hearing and directed the respondent municipal authorities to submit a compliance report.
Notice To Basketball Association In Election Case
Justice E.V. Venugopal of the Telangana High Court issued notices to the concerned authorities and individuals in response to a writ petition filed by Md Nayeemuddin, basketball coach and former contestant in the Telangana Basketball Association (TBA) elections held on March 14.
The petitioner has challenged the election of Ambati Prudhvishwar Reddy as general secretary, alleging that he was ineligible to contest and that his candidacy was based on manipulated and irregular documentation relating to a district-level election. The petitioner contended that his and other members’ objections dated March 17, 2025, along with supporting documents, were not considered by the returning officer, violating the National Sports Code of India, 2011.
Counsel for the petitioner informed the court that Prudhvishwar Reddy won by a narrow margin of four votes and reiterated that the bylaws of the association, which determine eligibility, were not followed. The petitioner sought permission to file a copy of the bylaws and relevant objections in the next hearing. The court will hear the matter further after the filing of the bylaws and related documents.
