Extension of Ex-Tourism MD's Suspension: HC to Hear Case Tomorrow

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday accepted to hear an interim application pertaining to non-lifting of the suspension of former managing director of the Telangana State Tourism Development tourism Corporation B. Manohar Rao. He is challenging the government’s decision to extend his suspension by two weeks, despite the court ordering that a final decision be taken on the suspension.

Manohar Rao was placed under suspension on November 17 of last year on the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI) as he had accompanied the then tourism minister V. Srinivas Goud to Tirumala a day before in violation of the model code of conduct that was in force. When he approached the court challenging the suspension, the High Court had on two occasions directed the government to take a call on the suspension. However, the government did not take any decision so far.

In the previous hearing, the High Court had taken a serious note that its orders were not complied with. It had warned that if a decision was not taken by January 8, the Court shall be at liberty to proceed against the concerned authorities for contempt of court.

Meanwhile, the government extended the suspension orders by another two weeks. Counsel for Manohar Rao sought the court’s nod to file an application against the government’s decision. The court allowed the same and said it would hear the application on Wednesday.