NTR statue in Khammam lake gets another HC jolt

HYDERABAD: In a setback to the state government and the N.T. Rama Rao Vigraha Erpatu Committee, which is supported by NRIs living in North America, which wished to install a statue of the former chief minister in Lakkaram lake, Khammam, on May 28, marking his birth anniversary, the Telangana High Court on Thursday refused to give permission.

The vacation court headed by Justice K. Lakshman on Thursday declined to give any relief and also suspended the proceedings issued by the principal secretary of irrigation department, which accorded permission for installing the statue in the lake.

The court agreed with the contentions of Chelikani Venkat Yadav, appearing for Yadava Sangam, which opposed the statue installation as N.T. Rama Rao was depicted as Lord Krishna. Counsel reminded that the Supreme Court has clearly stated that statues cannot be set up on public roads and public utility places.

After an earlier court setback, the statue committee made changes like removing the flute and crown and on Thursday requested the court to give permission, because of the changes to the statue.