Hyderabad Collector, GHMC chief summoned in contempt case

Hyderabad: A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court called for the appearance of the Hyderabad collector, special deputy collector, land acquisition officer and GHMC commissioner. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji, was hearing a contempt case filed by Syed Ziauddin Hussain who alleged that the authorities had willfully disobeyed court orders. Despite getting notices, no action was seen forthcoming. He complained that the letter patent appeal was disposed of on instructions. A January 2018 letter was addressed by the land acquisition officer to the GHMC stating that a fresh requisition would be issued to acquire the land. In view of the letter, the writ was disposed off. He alleged that till date no action was initiated by the officials. The bench directed the personal appearance of respondents in the court to explain reasons for such inaction, on July 31.

Construction on water body: Officials get notice

Justice N. V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court on Monday issued notices and directed civic authorities to file their reply within two weeks pertaining to an alleged construction on a water body. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Kothakonda Rajendra Kumar, alleging that TNR Estates Pvt. Ltd had constructed a residential and commercial complex in the water body land in Survey No. 90 at Suchitra crossroads. The authorities permitted construction on Survey No.s 58 and 89 and not Survey  90, which was a water body. He alleged that despite addressing representations to the authorities no action was forthcoming.

Tech college asked for details

Justice M. Sudheer of the Telangana High Court directed K.G. Reddy College of Engineering and Technology to file a detailed counter containing the number of classes conducted, attendance records, and almanac. The judge was hearing a writ petition filed by Rangu Bhagyesh Roshan and others. The petitioners contended that JNTU had not permitted the petitioners to appear for II year I semester external examinations due to lack of attendance. They said that they had secured seats under the ‘B’ category through lateral entry category, which was not considered in true spirit by the JNTU. The judge considering the material on record directed the respondent college to file its reply by July 3.

HC okays para athletes in recognised disciplines

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court on Monday allowed participation of para sports persons in recognised disciplines. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji, was dealing with a writ plea filed by a group of para athletes to include para sports as recognised sports disciplines and provide two per cent reservation in direct recruitment in government departments and institutions. Counsel for the petitioners B. Akash Kumar challenged a government order issued by the sports department, which excluded para sports from recognised sports disciplines, thereby denying them the quota benefit. wHe questioned another notification that failed to extend sports reservation benefits to para athletes in the recruitment for junior panchayat secretaries. Relying in Supreme Court judgments, Akash Kumar contended that para sports/ para athletes form part of a class of sportspersons. Not including them in the order was discrimination within the class and hence violative of Article 14 of the Constitution. He submitted that excluding para sports from the sports quota amounted to exclusionary discrimination and manifested arbitrariness as the same is biased with favouritism towards normal sports persons and discriminatory towards para sports persons. Counsel said the policy decision had to be in consonance with the mandate of Articles 14 and 16, which was neglected. The bench remarked there was a violation of the rights of persons with disabilities and upheld the principles of natural justice. The court directed the state government to include para sports in recognised sports disciplines and give equivalent weightage in all government departments.

HC: Act on complaint by temple

Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy of the Telangana High Court on Monday disposed of a writ petition relating to the inaction of police in not registering complaints. The judge was dealing with a plea filed by S. Jayananda Chary, founder and trustee of Sri Bangaru Maisamma temple in Uppuguda, Hyderabad. The petitioner said that a few neighbours were not allowing the smooth functioning of the temple and were trying to grab its land. The petitioner said the authorities were not registering their complaints nor initiating action. The petitioner complained that though he had been handed over the keys of the temple by the endowment commissioner, the neighbours were interfering with the puja activities. The judge the Chatrinaka police to look into the issue and act in accordance with the law and disposed of the writ petition.