Telangana High Court orders notice on land conversion in Dundigal

Hyderabad: A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court admitted a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the revenue department’s proceedings to convert 1,000 acres of land in Dundigal and issued notices to the department of revenue, Vajra Builders and Developers, and others.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Anil Kumar was dealing with the PIL filed by Gadeela Raghuveer Reddy contending that the revenue department issued a supplementary sethwar land conversion proceedings, and layout approval to a private company.

The petitioner further alleged that Vajra Builders is encroaching upon the government land and undertaking development and construction activities. The bench admitting the PIL, issued notices to the respondents and adjourned the matter for further consideration.

Revenue to respond on alleged illegal constructions

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court granted time to the department of revenue, Telangana, to explain its stance on illegal constructions in Nizampet.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Anil Kumar was dealing with a plea challenging illegal construction at Nizampet on lands earmarked under the Lavani Patta, which is allocated to freedom fighters or poverty-stricken individuals belonging to agriculture, handloom, and other sectors.

The Government Pleader contended that only freedom fighters can alienate their properties and other allottees cannot. He sought for time to reiterate the manner in which the land is assigned and whether it can be alienated. The matter has been adjourned to January 22 for further hearing.

Telugu University writ plea dismissed

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court dismissed a writ appeal filed by the Telugu University seeking to raise questions on the pension eligibility of a retired junior assistant.

The bench of Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili and Justice Namavarapu Rajeshwar Rao were dealing with a writ appeal filed by the Telugu University questioning an order of the single judge allowing the petitioner in favour of a retired junior assistant M. Ramulu.

Earlier, the writ petitioner successfully challenged the action of the university in not granting pensionary benefits to him on his retirement in February 2020. It is the case of the petitioner that he has been in the services of the appellant university since 1992, and in cadre post since 1995.

In an earlier writ petition, a single judge had upheld the claim of the writ petitioner that his probation was declared and that he was entitled to revised pay scales.

On retirement when the university yet again raised the issue of legality of the petitioner's appointment, a single judge rejected the same. In appeal, the bench found that the petitioner's

probation was declared way back in 1997 and that he was also granted increments from time to time. The bench accordingly dismissed the appeal filed by the university.

HC seeks access of railway tender records

Justice S. Nanda of the Telangana High Court summoned relevant records from the government of India relating to railway tenders issued by the signal and telecommunication department of the South Central Railways.

The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited challenging the tender issued by the telecommunication department disqualifying the petitioner’s technical bid as illegal.

The petitioner contended that they are in the business of procuring and constructing different zones under Indian Railways which is a benefit to the nation.

They contended that it is a Navaratna organisation and the illegal interpretation of the tender conditions should not result in the petitioner's case being rejected. While the counsel for the petitioner would argue that pending the writ plea its financial bid must be open.

The Deputy Solicitor General informed the court that the tender process had already been awarded the judge however summoned the relevant file.

HC warns against police repeatedly interfering in civil disputes

Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the state police for consistently interfering in civil disputes. The judge made it clear that the time has come for the court to possibly summon higher police officials for consistently disregarding orders in this connection.

The judge was berating in yet another writ plea complaint of police interfering in civil disputes filed by Prasanna Poly Pet Pvt Ltd. The judge said the court is hearing approximately 30 writ petitions every day pointing to police excesses in civil disputes.

The judge points out that the court has repeatedly told the police to steer clear from civil disputes yet there is an alarming increase in police interference in civil disputes. He said that it is time that officers at the station house office level are schooled into their limited powers.