Hyderabad: Justice K. Lakshman of the Telangana High Court dismissed a writ plea filed by former lessees of the PS Nagar Community Hall, who challenged their eviction from the premises by the Telangana Housing Board. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by M. Ashok and M. Balagopal, who contended that they had occupied the community hall since 2003 as lessees of the Housing Board through successive lease renewals. The petitioners claimed they invested `37 lakh in renovation and regularly paid the lease amount. The dispute arose when the Housing Board initiated eviction proceedings under the Telangana Housing Board Act, citing lease expiry and arrears. The petitioners contested the proceedings, alleging that the Housing Board officer passed orders without affording them a proper hearing or furnishing a copy of the final order, arguing that the eviction violated principles of natural justice. The Advocate General, representing the state, contended that due process was followed. The judge concurred with the state, noting that the petitioners appeared on June 21, 2025, submitted written arguments and that the final order reflected consideration of their pleadings. The judge held that the petitioners failed to demonstrate any violation of natural justice or exceptional circumstances warranting a bypass of the statutory appellate remedy. The judge noted that the lease expired in 2014, rendering any continued possession without legal validity. Emphasising that the appropriate remedy lay in an appeal under the provisions of the Act, the judge granted liberty to the petitioners to pursue the same. While dismissing the writ plea, the judge permitted the petitioners to approach the assistant estate officer regarding arrears, upon submitting relevant documents and a formal representation.
2. HC grants bail to trafficking accused
Justice J. Sreenivas Rao of the Telangana High Court granted anticipatory bail to a private employee accused of organising prostitution at a flat in Begumpet. The judge was hearing a criminal petition filed by Balaji Parmeshwar Kondabarao, a 43-year-old private employee and native of Nanded, Maharashtra, seeking anticipatory bail. According to the prosecution, the petitioner and a co-accused allegedly organised prostitution at a flat in Begumpet, where five women were rescued during a late-night raid on May 7. The police claimed that the petitioner functioned as an ‘organiser’ under the provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA). The petitioner contended that he was implicated, was working in a private job, and suffered from a kidney condition, as evidenced by a medical certificate from a hospital in Jaipur. Counsel for the petitioner contended that the petitioner had no prior criminal record and was willing to cooperate with the investigation.
3. HC refuses relief in Bathukamma Lake land dispute
Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court refused to grant any interim relief to a sexagenarian, who sought prior notice before the alleged acquisition of his land by the HYDRAA for the restoration of the Bathukammakunta Lake. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Syed Jahangir, who challenged the action of the respondent authorities in declaring his property as government land/ conservation zone/ Bathukammakunta through a master plan notification vide GO dated August 21, 2010. The petitioner would contend that such classification was done without following the due process of law and despite proceedings under the Urban Land Ceiling Act remaining incomplete. He contended that no notice was ever issued to him, rendering the action illegal, arbitrary, unconstitutional and violative of principles of natural justice. The petitioner also sought to set aside the master plan sanction to an extent, claiming that the land was never lawfully acquired under the ULC Act. Opposing the writ plea, the government pleader argued that the five-acre extent of land was presently submerged and forms part of a restored lake. He submitted photographic evidence in court and contended that no land traceable to the petitioner existed within the disputed area. Counsel for the petitioner disputed the claim, arguing that HYDRAA could not unilaterally rely on photographs to assert restoration of the lake without lawful acquisition or demarcation under the ULC Act. The petitioner maintained that he remained in possession of the land and requested that notice be issued before any steps are taken to acquire it. The judge declined to grant interim relief and posted the matter for further hearing. The judge also directed the petitioner to clearly identify and demonstrate the specific location of his land within the disputed area.
4. Resort manager cleared of cheating charges
Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court quashed two criminal proceedings against a former senior manager of Pragathi Green Meadows and Resorts Ltd., accused of cheating and forgery in connection with alleged irregularities in land transactions. The judge was dealing with criminal petitions filed by S. Prem Kumar, accused of criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery and other offences under the IPC. According to the prosecution, the petitioner, along with other accused who held roles as coordinator, telecaller and AMC in-charge in the company, allegedly diverted customer plots to new clients, bypassing company procedures. The judge noted that the primary basis for implicating the petitioner was the confession of another accused against whom proceedings were quashed in earlier criminal petitions. The judge observed that there were no specific allegations or documentary evidence linking the petitioner to the alleged sale or forgery. “At most, the acts of the petitioner may be prejudicial to the business interests of the company, but they do not amount to criminal offences,” the judge observed. The judge noted that none of the individuals involved in the transactions were made witnesses or accused and the documents relied upon had no direct connection to the company’s propert.
