Mandal Surveyor Gets Anticipatory Bail in ACB Case

 Hyderabad: Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court granted anticipatory bail to a mandal surveyor in an ACB case. The petitioner, Bharath Jadav, arrayed as Accused No. 3 under the Prevention of Corruption Act in a case of huge compensation awarded to pattedars, who had sold their land to third parties. Counsel for the petitioner Pujari Mani Sahith argued that no proper evidence was adduced against the petitioner. He contended that the main allegation about measuring land in yards instead of guntas would cause zero harm. Further, counsel added that the petitioner was in no capacity to manipulate the award of the government while acquiring land to lay a four-lane national highway. The ACB’s special public prosecutor Sridhar contended that largescale manipulation had taken place. It was alleged that Accused No.s 1 and 3 had planned and executed award of compensation to those losing land. He argued that other witnesses have to be examined and hence the petition may be dismissed and Accused No. 3, who is on the run, should be directed to surrender before the station house officer. Counsel for the petitioner contended that as there was no specific part on the petitioner, he would be more helpful as a witness than being named as accused. The judge, after hearing from both sides, opined that due to lack of evidence it is very immature to ask for surrender before the SHO. It was a matter of trial, which may take years, and the judge was inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with conditions.

HC closes ICAI writ against Vijaysai Reddy

The hence High Court recently pronounced a judgment on a plea filed by a petitioner, Vijaysai Reddy of the YSRC, challenging the proceedings initiated by the disciplinary directorate of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) due to alleged professional and other misconduct. The petitioner, represented by senior counsel A. Venkatesh, sought judicial intervention against the proceedings issued by the authorities, as they were arbitrary, lacked reasons, and violated the principles of natural justice. Counsel argued that authorities exceeded their jurisdiction by concluding that the petitioner was negligent in his professional duties, without sufficient evidence to support the claims. The court’s scrutiny of the records revealed inconsistencies and a lack of clarity regarding the petitioner’s professional role during the alleged misconduct. The court found that the prima facie opinion formed by authorities was based on chargesheets from multiple criminal cases against the petitioner. The court noted that these chargesheets alone could not substantiate charges of professional misconduct. In light of the identified procedural irregularities, the court set aside the proceedings initiated by the official authorities and the writ stood closed.

Attachment of PF account: Notices to PF office, RBI and Mahesh Bank

Justice T. Madhavi Devi of the Telangana High Court ordered notices to the managing director and trustee of the AP Mahesh Cooperative Urban Bank, commissioner of Provident Fund (PF) and regional director of RBI in a contempt case relating to attachment of a PF account. The judge was hearing a contempt case filed by G. Arun Kumar, former manager in-charge of the respondent bank’s Khammam branch. The petitioner alleged that the respondent authorities violated the orders passed by the judge earlier in a writ plea. It was the case of the respondent bank that it was towards the financial loss suffered due to alleged financial irregularities committed by the petitioner to the tune of Rs 164.86 lakh. The respondent bank stated that it was recovering the loss suffered by the bank from the PPF contributions of the petitioner. The judge, in the said writ plea, reiterated the settled position of law, which contemplated that the PF account of an employee cannot be attached even under an order of court and directed the respondent authorities to refund the amount to the petitioner along with interest. The petitioner alleged that despite directions for refund of the PPF amounts, the respondent authorities failed to comply and were guilty of contempt. The judge after hearing the petitioner ordered notice and posted the matter for further adjudication.

Contract teacher challenges denial of PG teacher post

Justice Pulla Karthik of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the non-appointment of a contract teacher to the post of PG teacher. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Kopuri Parvathi, contract teacher at Mahatma Jyothiba Phule Telangana Backward Classes Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society. The petitioner alleged that the Telangana Residential Educational Institutions Recruitment Board and the society had failed to appoint her as a postgraduate teacher for Hindi, despite appointment orders issued by the society that was handed over by the Chief Minister. The petitioner alleged that the respondent authorities denied her appointment on the ground that she did not have the required qualification despite the fact that notification did not prescribe any qualification. After hearing the petitioner, the judge directed the respondent authorities to file their response and posted the matter for further adjudication.