Telangana government gets notice on Miyapur land scam

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Telangana state government, the Centre, the CBI and private respondents directing them to file the counter affidavits on a PIL seeking the a CBI probe into the Miyapur land scam.

A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranga-nathan and Justice J. Uma Devi was dealing with the PIL by BJP spokesperson and advocate M. Raghu-nandan Rao. The petitioner filed an additional affidavit alleging that several bigwigs including the revenue minister was involved in the scam.

He alleged that the police had failed in arresting P. Sanjiv Prasad, alleged kingpin behind the scam. If there was no unbiased probe, it would cost the exchequer '1,000 crore.

He alleged that the government had itself admitted that 1,509 registrations took place in with regard to Miyapur lands. The bench adjourned the case to Sept 13.

HC doubts offer on Agri Gold
The Hyderabad High Court on Wednesday suggested that an unnamed company which is proposing to take over the assets and liabilities of the scam-hit Agri Gold Group to deposit Rs 100 crore with the court to prove its bonafides.

A division bench comprising Justice V. Rama-subramanian and Justice S.V. Bhatt was hearing a PIL by Telangana Agri Gold Customers and Agents Welfare Associa-tion, said once the deposit was made, the court would grant it time to do due diligence for taking over the company.

On Wednesday, when counsel senior counsel Sri Raghuram informed the bench that a dossier has been prepared on Agri Gold assets and liabilities by two teams of chartered accountants and lawyers, the bench reacted with skepticism. 

It said due diligence could take six months or more, and there was no guarantee that it would not get bogged down.

Counsel said that it may be too much for the company at this stage and offered to file an intervention petition. The bench said that if the Agri Gold was not able to bring buyers for twice the rate fetched in the bid, the successful bids will be confirmed on August 31.

HC seeks date for debt panel
The Hyderabad High Court on Wednesday asked the TS government to inform it to by Monday   how much time it required to constitute the debt relief commission for farmers.

A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranga-nathan and Justice J. Uma Devi was hearing by a PIL filed by BJP leader N Indrasena Reddy challenging inaction of the government in constituting the commission for debt relief for small farmers, farm labour and rural artisans.