HYDERABAD: A two-judge bench of Telangana High Court heard a PIL on the location of sponge iron plants in Mogiligidda village, Shadnagar. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji, was dealing with a PIL filed by Narsimulu Reddy and others, who alleged that the location of Om Shiv Shakthi Iron Industries Pvt Ltd unit was in violation of the guidelines for ‘sponge iron plants’ as notified by the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change. They said the state government should not allow polluting industries that have detrimental effects on health and the environment to be set up in populated areas. The bench had earlier ordered notices to the respondents. On Monday, Deepak Mishra, appearing for the respondent, contended that allegations were vague, and the question was looked into by the NGT Chennai, and a series of orders were passed. He submitted that the NGT was monitoring the aspect of pollution and constant inspections were also being undertaken. Reports were being submitted to NGT from time to time. After hearing the submissions, the bench directed the respondents to file their affidavit. The bench will again hear the matter on July 2.
HC dismisses plea on teachers selection
Justice Surepalli Nanda of the Telangana High Court dismissed a writ petition challenging the selection for the posts of teachers by the Defence Laboratory Educational Society. The judge was dealing with a petition filed by Divya Kondaveeti, who said that the selection notification had mentioned a written test (70 per cent) and interview/demo (30 per cent). However, the society did not conduct the written test. The society said that the response to the applications was not satisfactory, and it had issued a corrigendum lowering the prescribed qualification from DEd to BEd Only 52 applications were found to be in order. As the number was low, the society decided to dispense with the written examination and conduct interviews. Thirty candidates reported for the interview, including the petitioner, who did not qualify. The judge observed that “It is for the employer to determine and decide the relevancy and suitability of the qualifications for any post and it is not for the courts to consider and assess.” The court dismissed the petition stating that it was devoid of merits.
Plea: Allot vacant nursing seats to men
Justice Mummineni Sudheer Kumar of the Telangana High Court directed Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences and Indian Nursing Council to file its reply in a writ plea seeking to fill unfilled seats reserved for female students by male students. The judge was dealing with a petition filed by Sita Ramaiah College of Nursing at Jeedimetla. The petitioner college alleged that representations made to the university went unheeded. The petitioner pointed out that reserved quota seats for ‘female students’ were left unfulfilled every year and requested the varsity to permit aspiring male candidates to fill those seats. The petitioner contended that every year, approximately 8-10 seats were left unfulfilled, which could be allotted to male candidates. The judge directed the respondents to file their counter affidavit and adjourned the matter.
HC sets aside detention order
A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court on Monday set aside a detention order in a habeas corpus petition. The bench, comprising Justice K. Lakshman and Justice P. Sree Sudha, was dealing with a plea filed by Koramatla Satyavathi for the release of her son, who has been detained at Cherlapally central prison for a crime pertaining to human trafficking. The bench, expressing its anguish upon the action of the government for invoking preventive detention for a single crime, set aside the detention order.
Cop board told to conduct P.E.T.
Justice P. Madhavi Devi of the Telangana High Court on Monday directed the state police recruitment board to conduct the physical efficiency test for aspiring lady candidates. The judge was dealing with a plea filed by Peddapuram Radhika and six others, who questioned the authorities for not issuing hall ticket for the written exam as per the press note. They also questioned the failure of the authorities in not conducting the physical efficiency test. The judge directed the authorities to conduct the physical efficiency test and file a report by July 3.
