Hyderabad: Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court denied anticipatory bail to a cab driver accused of running a brothel house. The judge was dealing with an anticipatory bail petition filed by Bhagathi Sai Charang, who was accused of running a brothel house along with others and was allegedly involved in women trafficking. Considering the gravity and seriousness of the offences and in view of the fact that the investigation was in progress and the chargesheet was yet to be filed, the judge deemed it not fit to grant bail and dismissed the petition. The judge, however, granted the petitioner liberty to approach the trial court and file an application for regular bail with a direction that it be decided on the same way on merits.
Tax on semi-finished flat questioned
Justice T. Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the decision of the additional commissioner, revenue, circle 18, in levying property tax from the date of the semi-finished flat, rather than from the issuance of the occupancy certificate (OC). The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Rajeev Kumar Sharma, resident of Aparna One, Shaikpet. During the hearing, the judge questioned the rationale behind imposing property tax on semi-finished flats and urged a revision of the legal mandate. The judge observed that no tax can be levied on a flat that is not yet habitable and lacks an OC and suggested that if any resident occupies a flat before the OC is issued, property tax in such cases, as a deterrent, could be doubled. The judge further clarified that merely completing the registration of a flat does not warrant imposition of property tax. The judge pointed out that the citizens should neither be forced to pay taxes on semi-finished flats nor should the court be burdened with hundreds of similar writs — especially given that the building in question has 400 flats, which could lead to a flood of petitions seeking similar relief. Counsel for the respondents sought time to address a letter to the deputy commissioner of circle 18, for revision of the legal mandate. Accordingly, the matter was posted for further hearing.
Windscreen violations: Bar panel to be impleaded
Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy of the Telangana High Court took on file a contempt case against the state police for failing to take action against the usage of black film on windscreens and safety glasses on vehicles. The judge was hearing a contempt case filed by T. Dhangopal Rao, law student and a public interest judicial activist. The petitioner alleged that the respondent authorities had failed to comply with the order passed by the judge earlier. The petitioner stated that the apex court had prohibited the usage of black films of any visual light tramission (VLT) or any other material upon the safety glasses, windscreens (front and rear) and side glasses of all vehicles with effect from 2012 in light of the alarming rise in heinous crimes. In view of the case, the judge earlier in a writ plea preferred by the petitioner passed an order directing the respondent police authorities to strictly enforce the decision of the apex court against vehicles still using black film on the windscreens and safety glasses. The petitioner alleged that despite directions, the respondent authorities failed to comply and pointed out that the same was manifest from the vehicles of the advocates in the premises of the High Court. After hearing the petitioner, the judge directed the petitioner to implead the state Bar Association in the contempt case and adjourned the matter for further hearing.
Govt servant challenges transfer with demolition
Telangana High Court will hear a petition challenging the transfer of a government servant to a lower rank. Justice Pulla Karthik took on file a writ plea filed by Dr V. Rajani working with the state fisheries department. The petitioner challenged her transfer from the post of assistant director of fisheries to a lower-cadre post. The petitioner alleged that the transfer was forcing her to work in the lower-cadre post with reduced pay and emoluments. The petitioner said that her transfer was illegal in the absence of any legal provision and in violation of the principles of natural justice. The petitioner sought quash of her transfer proceedings and her reinstatement to the post of assistant general manager. The judge, after hearing the petitioner, directed the respondent authorities to file their response. The judge also passed an interim order directing the respondent authorities to continue the petitioner in her earlier position.
Peerzadiguda municipal employee demands reinstatement
Justice Pulla Karthik of Telangana High Court will hear a writ plea challenging the suspension of a sanitary inspector at Peerzadiguda Municipal Corporation. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by K. Janaki alleging that her suspension was illegally continued by the commissioner and director of state municipal administration beyond a period of six months. The petitioner alleged that her suspension was contrary to a GO dated March 8, 1994 and settled position of law laid down by the apex court and the Telangana High Court. The petitioner was seeking her reinstatement with all consequential benefits. The judge, after hearing the petitioner, extended its interim order suspending the suspension of the petitioner and posted the matter for hearing.
TSSPDCL official asked not to take
coercive steps against petitioner
Justice Surepalli Nanda of the Telangana High Court extended an interim order, directing the superintending engineer of TSSPDCL not to take any coercive steps, especially that of disconnection of power supply in a writ plea. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Maha Shiv Shakti Steel Rolling Mills private limited. The petitioner approached the court challenging the order of the Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC) passed in April, determining the cross subsidy surcharge (CSS) for the financial year 2015-16 to be recovered from the consumers who availed power supply through open access. The petitioner alleged that based on the TSERC order, the superintending engineer of TSSPDCL had levied and raised a demand for recovery of CSS prospectively. The petitioner informed the judge of an earlier interim order directing the respondent authorities not to take any coercive steps against the petitioner and sought its extension. After hearing the parties, the judge extended the interim order and directed the superintending engineer of TSSPDCL not to take any coercive steps, including that of disconnection of power supply to the petitioner.
