Legal Briefs | Telangana HC not to go into preliminary notification on land acquisition

HYDERABAD: A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court refused to interfere with a preliminary notification issued with regard to land acquisition at Dappur Waddi and Malgi villages in Sangareddy district for the proposed ‘pharma village’. The panel, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao, was dealing with a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Munnoor Ravinder and ten other farmers. The petitioner contended that agriculture was the primary source of their livelihood. It is the case of the petitioner that the project will be harmful to the lives of the villagers, who will be badly hit by the acquisition. It is alleged that the proposed pharma village/life sciences hub will have an adverse impact on the environment in the surroundings and affect all those living nearby. It was argued that the authorities have not protected the water bodies and the cultivable agricultural area. The panel observed that preliminary notification was issued on August 6 and objections with regard to same had to be filed within sixty days. It was submitted that other farmers made objections which are under consideration and the PIL petitioners have not addressed any objections. The panel refusing to entertain the PIL said, the petitioners are directly aggrieved persons and no PIL can be entertained at the instance of interested parties. The panel left it to the petitioners to avail alternative remedy as available under the law. It, however, also made it clear that it is not making any observations on the merit of the case.

Safeguard Sri Ranganayaka Swamy temple, HC tells endowments chief

Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court directed the commissioner of endowments department to take appropriate steps for safeguarding the Sri Ranganayaka Swamy temple at Peddagutta, Badepally, in Mahabubnagar district. This direction came in response to a writ plea filed by S. Raviteja Goud, the archaka-cum-managing trustee of the petitioner temple. He sought intervention against alleged encroachments and false claims made by unofficial respondents, including Kalva Ram Reddy and his associates. The petitioner accused the respondents of illegally breaking the temple locks and claiming to be its chairperson without any legal authority. The petitioner also alleged that the respondents spread rumours and filed baseless criminal cases against the petitioner, hindering his efforts to develop the temple. He also said he was arrested earlier this year and released on bail in connection with the actions of the unofficial respondents. Citing violations of the Telangana Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987, the petitioner sought to compel authorities to act against the encroachments. The petitioner alleged that despite repeated representations, no concrete action has been taken by the respondent authorities. After hearing the parties, the judge without going into merits passed an order directing the commissioner of endowments department to take appropriate steps to safeguard the temple.

Warangal bar challenges notice for tax dues from Covid exemption period

Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the actions of the Warangal district prohibition and excise officer in issuing a notice for collection of alleged default dues from a bar located in Warangal. The judge is hearing a writ plea filed by Sun Shine Elite Bar. The petitioner alleged that the respondent officer issued a notice directing the police and others to collect tax dues from the petitioner despite the same being exempted as it related to the Covid period. The petitioner also alleged that the actions of the respondent authorities were illegal and arbitrary besides being contrary to the provisions of Telangana Excise Grant of License for Selling by Bar and Conditions of License Rules 2005.