Hyderabad: Justice K. Sarath of the Telangana High Court disposed of a writ plea seeking appointment of a priest for the Sri Ramalingeshwara Swamy Temple at Mattampally, Suryapet district. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Kallem Pullaiah Shastri, an 80-year-old priest. The petitioner contended that despite his advanced age and inability to continue daily rituals, he was constrained to perform puja as no one else was coming forward. He submitted that he had rendered priestly services for over six decades and had given a representation dated December 4, 2024, requesting the authorities to relieve him and appoint the unofficial respondent, Shandilya Sharma, as the priest, being the only willing person. The petitioner alleged inaction on the part of the assistant commissioner,
No shared home, DV case quashed
Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court quashed domestic violence proceedings against a US-based software engineer on the ground that there was no shared household or domestic relationship between the parties as required under law. The judge was hearing a criminal petition filed by Ganga Bhavani seeking quashing of domestic violence proceedings against her on a complaint filed by her sister-in-law Sushma Gundabathini. The petitioner, who resides in Texas, USA, was arrayed as a respondent in the case along with other family members of the complainant’s husband. According to the complaint, Bhavani had allegedly demanded dowry over the phone and insisted on additional payments after the birth of a female child. Counsel for the petitioner contended that the allegations were vague, lacked specific dates or incidents and failed to disclose a shared household or domestic relationship under the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. The judge noted that there was no material on record to show that the petitioner ever resided with the complainant; therefore, the essential ingredients for proceeding under the Act were not met. Relying on precedents of the Supreme Court, the judge held that omnibus allegations without a shared household were insufficient to sustain prosecution. Accordingly, the judge allowed the criminal petition and quashed the proceedings against the petitioner.
HC denies bail to murder accused
Justice J. Sreenivas Rao of the Telangana High Court dismissed a batch of criminal petitions seeking bail and anticipatory bail in connection with the murder of a businessman in Dabeerpura, Hyderabad, which occurred in the early hours of April 14, 2025. The judge rejected regular bail for three accused and anticipatory bail for two who were allegedly involved in the conspiracy and execution of the murder of one Masiuddin. The crime stood registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Arms Act, 1959, at the Rein Bazaar police station. The judge was dealing with a criminal plea filed by Mohammed Aktar Hussain alias Junaid and four others. According to the prosecution, Masiuddin was stabbed to death by a group of assailants, allegedly at the behest of business rivals. The FIR was filed by the victim’s brother, who suspected that shop owners Junaid (A11) and Shiraaj (A10) conspired with the main accused to eliminate Masiuddin due to business enmity. The role of other accused, including those who allegedly provided weapons, coordinated surveillance, and destroyed evidence, emerged during custodial interrogations and analysis of call data records. The Public Prosecutor strongly opposed the bail pleas, arguing that the call data and statements of co-accused pointed to a clear criminal conspiracy and that the accused might influence witnesses or tamper with evidence if released. He further highlighted the reluctance of witnesses to cooperate due to fear of the accused. The defence argued that the petitioners stood implicated merely based on the confession statements of co-accused, which were inadmissible under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, and pointed to the absence of direct allegations or presence at the scene of the offence. The judge found specific roles and overt acts attributed to each petitioner, corroborated by call records and other material evidence. Justice Sreenivas Rao observed that the case involved a heinous offence with deep societal impact and noted that the investigation remained ongoing. Citing Supreme Court precedents, the judge emphasised that prima facie involvement, likelihood of interference with justice, and the gravity of the crime were key factors in denying bail. The judge concluded that the case disclosed a well-orchestrated conspiracy involving multiple individuals with a common intention to murder the deceased and dismissed all four petitions.
Typist wins case against demotion
Justice Surepalli Nanda of the Telangana High Court set aside a memo and showcause notice proposing the demotion of a typist appointed on compassionate grounds for not possessing higher-grade typewriting qualifications. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by M.B. Rajashekar, appointed in 2017 following his father’s death. The petitioner contended that despite holding a BTech in Computers and completing an office automation course, his services were not regularised solely due to non-possession of the prescribed typewriting qualifications. The petitioner contended that he served without any adverse remarks and was even awarded a certificate of appreciation for 2023-24. He argued that similarly placed employees were granted exemption through government orders issued by the Backward Classes welfare department and relied on High Court rulings granting similar relief. The government pleader contended that the exemptions were department-specific and the petitioner had failed to qualify despite time extensions. Justice Nanda observed that the petitioner had been discharging duties diligently and denial of regularisation amounted to discrimination. The judge held that the petitioner was entitled to the same benefit as others who were granted exemption. Accordingly, the judge allowed the writ plea and directed the authorities to regularise the petitioner’s services from the date of joining, declare his probation and release consequential benefits without insisting on typewriting qualifications within four weeks.
