HYDERABAD: A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) project implementation unit at Warangal to deposit money for the supplementary award in respect of land acquired for road widening from Hyderabad to Warangal. The bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice T. Vinod Kumar gave the order on a contempt case filed by C. Sriramulu and others against the NHAI, accusing it of willful disobedience of orders directing them to deposit additional award as decided by the NHAI director. Earlier, the same order was appealed by way of a special leave petition, and was dismissed. The bench warned the NHAI officials that it would come down heavily on them if they not file the compliance report by the next hearing on August 31.
HC extends stay on Basara temple land sale
Justice Chillakur Sumalatha of the Telangana High Court extended an interim order staying the public auction of land pertaining to the Sri Ganana Saraswathi temple of Basara. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Sharath Pathak, an archaka of the temple, challenging the auction notification that the endowment department had issued. He contend that the authorities had no power or right to auction land belonging to the temple which was under the possession of the petitioner. The court directed the temple counsel to file a counter by September 27.
HC issues directions to NGT
A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court directed the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Chennai, to decide a matter pertaining to the Masjidbanda lake encroachment at Kondapur. The bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice T. Vinod Kumar was hearing a writ plea filed by M. Raju Yadav and another challenging an order of the NGT which had sought a report on the extent of encroachment at the lake, action taken against the encroachers and pollution caused by dumping of garbage or construction debris. The petitioner stated that HMDA had uploaded a draft notification declaring full tank level (FTL) in 2023, but prior to this there was no interference by the authorities in his peaceful possession of the land. He contended that the NGT had passed an ex parte order without extending him an opportunity of an explanation. The bench refused to intervene but directed the petitioner to raise the objections before the NGT.
Wanaparthy clinic closure challenged
Justice Chillakur Sumalatha of Telangana High Court issued notices to the district medical and health officer (DMHO), Wanaparthy, for allegedly illegally locking a medical clinic and sought a reply by September 13. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Dr B. Harinath who said the DMHO had closed his clinic without following the due process or issuing a notice. The petitioner stated that the DHMO had issued a showcause but did not consider his reply. Counsel for the petitioner contended that the closure was in contradiction to the Indian Medical Council Professional Conduct Etiquette and Ethics Regulations of 2002.
HC stays award against defence
A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court comprising Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili and Justice J. Anil Kumar stayed an arbitration award of Rs 40 crore as compensation for land acquisition. The bench, however, directed the petitioners to deposit 25 per cent of the amount, about Rs 10 crore. The bench was dealing with a civil miscellaneous appeal filed by defence authorities arising under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. The land of about 56 acres was acquired in 1978. After a series of litigations, the matter landed before the arbitrator — a retired High Court judge — for settling the quantum of compensation. In 2016, the arbitrator awarded Rs 5,126 per acre. In 2021, a fresh set of claimants claiming sought fresh arbitration. The arbitrator — another retired judge of the High Court — enhanced the compensation to Rs 10,000 per square yard and awarded interest from 1978. The defence authorities contended that the order was lacking in merits and was arbitrary and illegal.
