Judgement reserved on allotment of 15-acre land to a foundation

Hyderabad: A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court on Friday reserved for judgement a public interest litigation relating to 15 acres of land allotted to Sai Sindhu Foundation. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy, was dealing with a PIL filed Dr Urmila Pingle, who questioned the action of the revenue department in allotting the land. Senior counsel S. Niranjan Reddy, appearing for the foundation, contended that the allotment of land was done in the interest of public and that the court cannot take a technical or a mechanical approach in deciding the matter. He said that there ought to have been more transparency and less arbitration. Earlier, an interim order was granted directing that any construction on the land was subject to the present writ plea before the court.

No HC relief for zoos authority on Rs 42 crore tax dues

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court on Friday refused to stay a demand of nearly Rs 42 crore for the assessment years 2016-17 to 2021-22 by March 30. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy, was dealing with a writ plea filed by the zoos and parks authority of Telangana seeking to declare the order of the commissioner, income-tax, granting a stay of demand subject to payment of  Rs 5 crore out of the Rs 41.4 crore demand, as illegal and arbitrary. Counsel for the petitioner contended that the matter was remanded to the commissioner of income-tax for passing a speaking order. In view of the same, the bench opined that it was not inclined to grant a stay. Counsel appearing on behalf of the department said that an opportunity was granted to the petitioner. The matter has been adjourned to April 4 for further hearing.

Appear in person or be ready for NBW, Somesh Kumar warned

Justice Mummaneni Sudheer Kumar on Friday summoned former chief secretary Somesh Kumar to be present in court with regard to a contempt plea. The plea was filed by G. Jaya Rao, who has since passed away, and now his legal representatives are pursuing the issue. They sought punishment of the respondents for willfully disobeying the orders of the court. Harender Prasad, appearing on behalf of the government contended that Somesh Kumar had a personal difficulty in attending the court since he was undergoing medical tests. The court recorded the presence of Navin Mittal, who submitted that he would take personal cognisance of the matter. The judge sternly affirmed that an NBW would be issued against Kumar if he does not appear before the court. He questioned whether the government has any sympathy towards the petitioners, who have been pursuing the issue at hand since 2006.

HC notice to revenue, tribal welfare depts

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court on Friday ordered notice to the revenue and tribal welfare departments. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji, was dealing with a PIL filed by Muddaboina Ravi, president of National Adivasi Hirijana Abhuyudayam Sangham. The petitioner sought to declare the sale deeds made by Mulugu sub-registrar in a notified village of Pasranagarm village, which falls under scheduled areas from a non-tribal to another non-tribal, as null and void. He further sought a consequential direction to the government to initiate the law into motion in accordance with the rules established under Telangana scheduled areas land transfer regulation and assign them to eligible tribal people. The matter has been adjourned to June 26 for further hearing.

Man involved in fatal accident gets bail

Justice C. Sumalatha of the Telangana High Court on Friday granted bail in a case pertaining to rash and negligent driving, which resulted in a death. The judge was dealing with a petition filed by Gopal Krishna Das, a resident of Balanagar. The petitioner was accused in a crime relating to rash and negligent driving which killed a biker, who was riding with his wife and child in Chevella. The wife and child survived. The prosecution informed the court that witness examination and investigation were completed. The judge granted bail with a deposit of Rs 50,000 towards the bail bond and two sureties.

Bail for spa owners accused of running prostitution racket

Justice C. Sumalatha of the Telangana High Court on Friday granted bail in a case pertaining to running an alleged prostitution racket. The judge was dealing with a plea filed by Doddi Renaiah Karthik and another person, who are owners of Rest Beauty Spa in Gachibowli. It was contented that in the guise of a spa, they were running a prostitution racket. Upon receiving information, Cyberabad police conducted a raid. On finding substantial evidence, they booked spa owners on February 17. Petitioner’s counsel contended that the owners had no knowledge of such acts. The prosecution informed the court that the employees were a part of the act and about 45 people were in custody and 11 witnesses were examined. The judge granted the petitioners bail with a payment of Rs 50,000 towards the bail bond and two sureties.