Legal Briefs | Home secretary, top cop appear before Telangana HC

Hyderabad: The state home secretary and the commissioner of police were both present before the Telangana High Court to purge themselves of charges of contempt. Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti extended the opportunity and posted the matter to Friday.

The judge will continue to hear a writ plea challenging the logic behind promotions granted to certain personnel to the rank of assistant sub-inspectors, based on a seniority list prepared in 2018.

The judge is hearing a writ plea filed by P. Samaiah and four others, and raising doubts regarding the criteria used for such promotions, particularly in light of discrepancies in the applicable government orders (GOs) governing the selection process. The petitioners, who were recruited as constables prior to December 1999 under the governing GO issued in 1959.

It was argued that their selection was governed by specific criteria — 75 per cent weightage for the written test and 25 per cent for the oral interview. They contended that the seniority list should reflect these terms rather than the later rules under G.O.Ms.No.374, dated December 14, 1999, which came into effect after their appointment.

The judge noted inconsistencies in the respondents' filings, highlighting that the additional counter affidavit submitted in November 2024 merely reiterated earlier statements made in 2017, without addressing the core issues raised by the petitioners.

The Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal (APAT) had previously directed in December 2015 that seniority lists be prepared according to the terms of G.O.Ms.No.1263 of 1959. However, the respondents continued to rely on a provisional list from 2006, citing the unavailability of merit lists from 1999.

After hearing the arguments, the judge summoned the Commissioner to appear and respond to the above issues. The Commissioner was present in court on Wednesday. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing next week for orders.

Concern over hookah centres

Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court voiced serious concerns about mushrooming hookah centres in the city. The judge is dealing with a writ petition filed by The Nawabs Café, challenging illegal interference in running a hookah centre.

The judge pointedly asked the counsel whether hookah contains nicotine, and said that in the absence of information on the effects of the contents in a hookah, he was not inclined to grant any directions that could be detrimental to the legal regime of supervision.

The judge asked the government to respond, and he suggested that in future, certification from a pulmonologist may be required in such cases.

Milling fine challenged 

A plea challenging imposition of 25 per cent of penalty by the State Civil Supplies department contrary to the principles of natural justice and in contravention to custom milling policy is up for challenge before the Telangana High Court.

Justice T. Madhavi Devi is dealing with a writ plea filed by Sai Surya Rice Mill situated in Kantathmakur Village, Nadikuda mandal, Hanamkonda district challenging the actions of the State Civil Supplies department and other authorities, alleged to be acting in contravention of the custom milling policy.

The petitioner would allege that the respondents are imposing 25 per cent of penalty without issuing notice and conducting an enquiry in contravention of the custom milling policy and as well as the agreement. The petitioner would further allege that the respondents are not supplying custom milling paddy to the petitioner for the season kharif 2024-2025. The judge, after hearing the petitioner, directed the Government Pleader to get instructions from the respondent authorities.