Stop emotional speeches over Errum Manzil: Telangana High Court

Hyderabad: Asking counsels to come up with legal points instead of making emotional speeches, the Telangana High Court directed the petitioners who are challenging the demolition of Errum Manzil to submit their written arguments by August 5.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Shameem Akther made several observations about the conduct of counsels and posed several questions.

The bech asked if it was correct to say that government governments cannot take up developmental and welfare activities just because of they have huge debts.

The court asked this after the counsels argued that the construction of new Assembly building for the state was unnecessary expenditure as it the government had a `1.89 lakh crore debt.

Ms B. Rachana Reddy, representing one of the petitioners, said, “The state government cannot behave like the Nizam and go ahead for the construction as per its whims without giving an explanation and

without showing evidence that building was in a dilapidated condition’.

Mr Chikkudu Prabha-kar, another counsel, submitted that the Cabinet decision to construct the Assembly building and houses for the Speaker, Council Chairman and other dignitaries at the Errum Manzil was made with an ulterior motive, as Hyderabad was the combined capital for Telangana state and AP for 10 years as the AP Reorganisation Act.

Mr Nalini Kumar, counsel, said there was no law to protect heritage structures in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority area. He submitted that government was bypassing all rules.

Responding to Ms Rachana Reddy, Justice Chauhan observed that it was not a public place to rake up the emotions. He cautioned counsel to confine themselves to legal aspects. The cases were adjourned to Friday.