Telangana HC questions mass demolition drive

Hyderabad:The Telangana High Court on Tuesday reprimanded the state government for allegedly demolishing building structures across Hyderabad. Justice B Vijaysen Reddy was hearing a batch of writ petitions challenging notices issued for the demolition or removal of buildings situated at Kavuri Hills, which are within the full tank level (FTL) limits of Durgam Cheruvu.

The judge addressed the change of state government and questioned why the constructions were being touched after a gap of 10 to 20 years. The judge questioned the government pleader as to what was the government doing all these years in respect of alleged illegal constructions.

The judge asked why no measures were being taken against GHMC officials who had approved the constructions in the FTL and buffer zones of lakes. The judge remarked that the respondents should first demolish the government officer’s buildings who granted permission, initiate PMLA and ACB proceedings against them. The judge also opined that the state should release a notification where even the retired government officers can be punished.

The respondents must initiate action from the top, Justice Vijaysen Reddy said.

The batch of petitions was filed by the residents who received notices from deputy collector for demolition of the structures on August 3. Counsel for the petitioner stated that they were in possession for last 34 years, and the buildings had been constructed with permission from the GHMC and the erstwhile HUDA.

The judge expressed dissatisfaction at the high-handed demolitions by HYDRAA and remarked “There are 1 lakh unauthorised structures in Hyderabad, why have you not issued 1 lakh notices? Why only BRS structures are being targeted.”

The judge questioned why was Raheja Towers, also known as Inorbit Mall, was not in the list of demolitions, despite being within the FTL of Durgam Cheruvu. In response, the special government pleader stated that government was slowly undertaking the demolition of all the unauthorised constructions.

Special government pleader S. Rahul Reddy said that a PIL was pending before a division bench on similar issue for preservation of Durgam Cheruvu and requested the judge to post these matters alongside with the PIL to avoid conflicting orders. Accordingly, the judge directed the batch matters be listed before the division bench dealing with the PIL matter.