Hyderabad: The Telangana high court has upheld the 2012 ruling of the Special Tribunal for Land Grabbing declaring a businessman as land grabber for unlawfully occupying private property in Chilukanagar near Uppal in Hyderabad. A division bench of Justices T Vinod Kumar and P Sree Sudha recently dismissed the writ petition challenging the tribunal’s decision, affirming that the petitioner lacked valid title over the disputed 225 square yards, which included a house and open space.The businessman had claimed he purchased the land via a registered sale deed and constructed a house after securing the required permissions. He argued that the tribunal erred by disregarding the oral and documentary evidence submitted in his favour and by misinterpreting key documents.In response, the opposite party (respondent in this case), in whose favour the tribunal had ruled earlier, asserted he was the rightful owner, having bought the land through a registered sale deed from a vendor with a valid title. He alleged that the petitioner illegally occupied the property, built a compound wall, and erected a temporary shed. Despite complaints made to revenue authorities in Dec 2008, the petitioner failed to vacate the land.After hearing both sides and reviewing the oral and documentary evidence, the HC concluded that the businessman’s title deeds were executed after those of the respondent. It noted that the respondent’s registered sale deed, being prior in time and legally valid, serves as public notice and holds greater legal weight. Therefore, any subsequent transfer of title in favour of the petitioner was considered illegal and could not confer ownership, the HC said.Further, referring to relevant Supreme Court rulings, the bench found that the petitioner failed to establish lawful possession or ownership and ruled in favour of the respondent, declaring him the rightful owner and confirming the petitioner as a land grabber.
