GO 84: File counter in a week or face action, HC tells state

HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Thursday gave one last chance to the state government to file its counter within one week in the PIL challenging the validity of the GO No. 84 (July 26, 2023); otherwise it would pass orders on September 21.

GO 84 is meant for regularisation of sale transactions carried out using "unregistered documents with attestation of notary" for non-agricultural lands. This was challenged by way of a PIL by the Bhagyanagar Citizens Welfare Association and another petitioner seeking suspension of the GO.

The court had twice ordered the government to file the counter and it had expressed a view that the GO was illegal. However, the court has waited for the contention of the government.

On Thursday, Harender Pershad, special counsel for the government, requested the court to grant further two months to file the counter explaining the government’s stand.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar, expressed dissatisfaction for the manner urgent matters were being delayed. The court observed that within two months, all documents will be regularized and there is no scope to hear the contentions raised in the PIL.

Giving one week time to file the counters, the PIL adjourned the case to September 21.