HC Issues Notice to Telangana Over Lack of Facilities in Educational Hostels

Hyderabad: A two judge bench of the Telangana High Court on Friday issued notice to the state government in response to a petition demanding that children residing in educational institution hostels be provided essential facilities. The bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice T. Vinod Kumar was dealing with a PIL filed by Keethineedi Akhil Sri Guru Tej who questioned the inaction of the state government in adhering to the guidelines outlined in Chapter IV of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The petitioner contended that the disparity in the availability of facilities such as bathrooms, toilets and wardens in hostels within educational institutions and standalone hostels was worrisome. Counsel for the petitioner Chikkudu Prabhakar contended that the ratios fell short of the mandated standards — specifically, bathrooms at a 1:10 ratio, toilets at a 1:7 ratio, and wardens at a 1:50 ratio. He stated that the government was grossly violating the fundamental rights of children. He sought urgent intervention to rectify the unlawful and discriminatory conditions faced by the children. The bench said it would hear the matter on September 8.

Octogenarian writes about dilapidated bldg

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court directed the GHMC and other civic authorities to respond to a letter about a dilapidated multi-storey building. The bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice T. Vinod Kumar was dealing with a letter addressed by an octogenarian on July 29 to the court. The petitioner complained that the building behind his house was in a dilapidated condition. Despite representations to the GHMC, the civic body had not taken action.

Quietus on Peddapalli district court issue

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court refused to go into the question of the location of the district court in Peddapalli district. Earlier, the Bar Association had filed a writ petition contending that the new court complex was stationed 40 km from the city. It was contended that there were other illegalities on jurisdictional questions. Earlier, the bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice T. Vinod Kumar had constituted a committee of the Administrative Judge, revenue authorities, district civil administration, district judiciary and Bar Association of Peddapalli. A sealed cover of the report was placed before the bench on Friday. The bench observed the Bar Association and the stakeholders had agreed to the location suggested by the revenue authorities.

HC judge summons cops in contempt proceedings

Justice K Surender of the Telangana High Court summoned two Gopalapuram police officers to appear before the court on August 28 for contempt proceedings. The court's action stemmed from allegations of non-compliance with its directives and pertained to an incident involving a cancer patient. The judge was dealing with a petition filed by Dr P. Namratha who questioned the decision to involve a cancer patient in such proceedings, particularly when there were specific directions against it. Earlier, the petitioner through advocate E. Venkata Siddhartha had filed a quash petition questioning the rationale behind summoning a cancer patient to a police station and subjecting her to an uncomfortable stay, despite purported specific court orders to the contrary. The court had directed the police to dispense with the presence of the cancer patient. When the police authorities failed to adhere to the directions, the contempt petition was filed.