Illegal Mining: HC Takes Up PIL on Inaction by Authorities
Hyderabad: A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court took on file a public interest litigation alleging inaction by authorities in conducting a thorough inquiry into the illegal mining operations conducted by M/s Sagar Cements Limited at M/s NCL Industries Limited at Suryapet. The panel comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Anil Kumar is dealing with a PIL filed by advocate Karnati Venkata Reddy. The petitioner contended that unofficial respondents are carrying out mining operations in the areas other than the leased out area in collusion with officials of forest, revenue and mines and geology departments.
He stated that such an action in permitting the unofficial respondents to carry on lease is causing huge loss of revenue to the government exchequer. The petitioner contended that several representations were made before the authorities who conducted an inquiry and issued orders for the payment of `12,14,50,050 towards royalty and evasion of price and the deputy director of mines and geology conducted and inquiry and ordered payment of `91,42,66,220 towards royalty and evasion of sale price.
He alleged in his affidavit various irregularities by the officials of forest, revenue and mines and geology and sought to cancel the mining lease granted in favour of the respondents and to recover the entire loss caused to the government. The panel, after perusing the material, ordered notices.
Medical practitioner released on bail
Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court on Monday released a medical practitioner on bail who is alleged to have terminated the pregnancy of a minor girl without permission. The practitioner stated that she did not terminate the pregnancy; the minor girl had given birth to a child. It was contended that the petitioner is a law-abiding citizen and is ready to cooperate with the police in investigating the case and that she will comply with the conditions that may be imposed in the event of her release.
The judge, while granting bail observed, “Investigation insofar as the allegation against the petitioner herein with regard to the termination of pregnancy is completed, this court is of the considered view that it is a fit case for grant of bail.” The judge accordingly allowed the petition and directed to release the petitioner on bail, on her executing a personal bond of `20,000 along with two securities.
Student challenges JEE Mains marks
Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the change of marks and rank of a student who appeared in JEE Mains, 2024. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by a student T.R. Tejaswi who is aggrieved by change of her rank from 7,101 to 3,94,692 in the Open Category and from AIR 39 to AIR 7,057 in the ST Reserved Category in JEE 2024 result. The petitioner alleged that the change of marks and rank obtained was illegal and affected her admission in the said course. The judge, after hearing the petitioner, directed the counsel to get instructions from the Centre, National Testing Agency and other authorities and posted the matter to Thursday.
Tandur tahsildar put on notice over property
Justice K. Sujana of the Telangana High Court ordered notice to the Tandur tahsildar in a criminal case lodged by him relating to a property with the Tandur Municipality. The judge was hearing a quash petition filed by Pasaram Sandeep and Baswaraj. It is the case of the petitioner that the complaint is wholly motivated and contrary to orders of the court. He pointed out that the revenue authorities were party to a civil suit. They were facing an injunction despite which a complaint of trespass was made against the petitioner. The petitioner argued that when the property belonged to the petitioner, a complaint of trespass was not maintainable since trespass involves unauthorisedly entering into the property of a third party.
HC takes up denial of promotion case
Justice Pulla Karthik of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ petition raising yet again the question of criminal case throwing its shadow on promotion in service. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Mohammed Riazuddin Ershad, a junior assistant at the office of the Special Executive Magistrate, Telangana. The petitioner alleged that the respondent authorities failed to promote him as a senior assistant despite him being acquitted by a criminal court. The petitioner alleged that the actions of the respondents is in contravention of GO Ms No. 529 of August 19, 2008. The counsel for the petitioner pointed out that the GO specifically directs the respondent authorities to consider cases of employees for promotion to the next higher categories wherever charges are held not proved by a criminal court and acquittal orders are passed. The judge, after hearing the petitioner, directed the respondent authorities to file their response and directed Hyderabad district collector to consider the representation of the petitioner.