TSRTC directed to reinstate, pay staffer

HYDERABAD: Justice Suryapalli Nanda of the Telangana High Court set aside an order of the TSRTC and directed the reinstatement of an employee with all consequential benefits and 50 per cent back wages. The judge was dealing with a writ petition filed by M. Prashant Kumar, who questioned an order of termination and further order of the engagement without considering the service already rendered. He said that he was absent from duty due to chikungunya and was charge-sheeted for unauthorised absence for approximately 19 days. His services were terminated without an inquiry.

Justice Nanda recorded a finding that the copy of the alleged inquiry report was not served on the petitioner. She also recorded that there was no finding that the petitioner’s absence was willful. The judge accordingly allowed the writ petition and set aside the order of termination. The judge ruled that not giving the inquiry report and conducting ex-parte enquiry was in violation of the principles of natural justice.

 

Notices to Sarada Peetham in Visakhapatnam

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court ordered notices to G. Kameswara Sarnia, Dharmadhikari, Sri Sarada Peetham in Visakhapatnam. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji, was dealing with a PIL filed by Ch. Veera Chary alleging allotment of land admeasuring two acres in Survey No. 240, Sector V of Kokapet village, Gandipet mandal, Ranga Reddy district at a throwaway price of ₹1 per acre to the Sarada Peetham. The bench observed that the matter was pending since 2019 but no notice was served and it was not possible to meet the ends of justice without hearing the respondents. The bench posted the matter to July 24 for further hearing.

 

HC seeks report on Saroornagar junior college

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court directed the TS Legal Services Authority (TSLSA) to file a status report on the Government Junior College, Saroornagar. Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji were dealing with a letter addressed to the Chief Justice as a suo motu PIL. The letter, written by LLB student Nallapu Manideep, alleged that there was one toilet for over 700 girls and other facilities were in a poor state. Officials had ignored multiple demands by students for the last three months. The letter alleged that the washrooms were extremely dirty and students were falling sick. Girls were skipping college during their menstrual cycle as there were neither taps nor water supply. Male students alleged that they had no toilets and were relieving themselves in the open. They alleged that students had complained to the State Human Rights Commission but it served no purpose as all posts were vacant. The bench directed the TSLSA to file a status report by July 18 and it would to hear the matter the same day.

 

Plea on IAS, IPS officers adjourned

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court adjourned hearing on batch of writ pleas dealing with allotment of IAS and IPS officers in the cadre of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments. The Centre contended that the ratio laid down the this court in the former chief secretary Somesh Kumar’s case would apply according to the orders of the Central Administrative Tribunal in making the impugned allotments without jurisdiction. The allocations were contrary to the statutory provisions provided under the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme for Central government civil employees. The bench, comprising Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili and Justice Namavarapu Rajeshwar Rao, adjourned the matter to June 27 for further hearing.

 

HC seeks report on Canara Bank action

A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court sought a report in an alleged fraudulent auction by Canara Bank. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji, was dealing with a taken-up writ plea filed by Asha Gupta. She complained that her properties were fraudulently taken from her in the capacity of a personal guarantor. The petitioner sought a CBI enquiry with respect to the auction. The bench appointed senior counsel L. Ravichander as amicus curiae in the matter. The bench directed the amicus to file a report with respect to all the petitioner’s properties in Telangana. The matter was adjourned to June 20.

 

Govt restrained on Bandarupalli land

Justice K. Lakshman of the Telangana High Court restrained the government from taking over one acre of land in Bandarupalli revenue village in Mulugu district for the construction of office buildings, except in accordance with the law. The judge disposed of a writ petition filed by Gugulothu Sammaiah and four ST members complaining that the government sought to take away the land assigned to them, on which they were cultivating. The petitioners said there was a standing crop and a house on the land. The government contended that the land in question was part of a larger parcel earmarked for a government degree college (already constructed), a BC Welfare Hostel (under construction) and that the claim of the petitioners was illegal. The judge pointed out the standing crop and the house and added, “If the subject property is required for a public purpose, they have to acquire the same by following the procedure laid down under the law.” Penning the same, the judge said “The revenue authorities will not interfere with the possession of property.”