Hyderabad: A batch of writ pleas related to Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme (KLIS) came up for hearing before the Telangana High Court on Thursday. The lead matter in the petitions was filed by M. Vishvanathan Reddy challenging the inaction of the authorities on alleged irregularities related to the scheme. The petitioner mentioned the multiple representations made to the Governor and the other constitutional authorities in this regard. He sought all the agreements entered into between the state and Megha Engineering and also a detailed audit report and the bank transactions. A connected writ plea was filed by practicing advocate B. Ram Mohan Reddy complaining that the CBI had not acted on his complaint about the manner of the operations of the project by the Central Water Commission (CWC). Chief Justice Alok Aradhe wondered how such a writ petition could be heard in the absence of the state government, which was both the proper and required party. The panel accordingly adjourned the matter to enable the party in person to implead the state government to the litigation. In the meanwhile, the panel refused an oral application by the counsel for former Congress functionary Bakka Judson seeking to withdraw his PIL for a CBI inquiry into the entire KLIS scam. The panel said that as it was public interest litigation, the same could not be withdrawn on an oral application of the counsel. Sharath Kumar, counsel for the petitioner, pointed out that the intent was to ensure non-duplication and that his concerns could be addressed to the one-man judicial commission of Justice L. Narasimha Reddy.
HC allows implead petition filed by kin of former Nizam’s PM
Justice J. Srinivas Rao of the Telangana High Court on Thursday allowed an implead petition filed by Shalini Saincher and three others, who are legal heirs of Sir Maharaja Kishan Prasad, ex-prime minister to the Nizam-IV and VII, to contest a pending writ petition relating to approximately 7,000 acres of land at Ravalkole village. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Qursheed Begum and others challenging the ORC given by the government to third parties over lands situated in Ravalkole. Mayur Mundra, counsel for the implead petitioners, contended that the maharaja acquired the rights in the entire village, which has been passed on to them through the family. Further, the implead petitioners contend that they were proper and necessary parties to the litigation. The counsel pointed out that the claims in the writ petition were contra to the claims of his client and any adjudication behind the back of his clients would be violation of principles of natural justice. The court accordingly allowed the writ petition.
Disappearing open spaces in Nagole up for judicial consideration
Justice T. Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea complaining of inaction by the GHMC commissioner and others in protecting open spaces at Nagole village under LB nagar municipality. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Mallikarjuna Hills colony housing society alleging that the respondent authorities failed to consider the representations given by the petitioner for protection of open spaces meant for the layout situated at survey nos. 87/1, 87/5, and 87/6 of Nagole village. The petitioner also sought a direction to the respondent authorities not to grant permission for construction in a specific plot situated at the above-mentioned surveys. After hearing the petitioner, the judge directed the respondent authorities to file their reply within four weeks and posted the matter for further adjudication.
Petition against police fort taking away an adopted girl
The Telangana High Court will examine the legality of actions of the police commissioner, Rachakonda commissionerate, and the station house officer of Medipally police station in forcibly taking custody of an adopted child. Justice Surepalli Nanda took on file a writ plea filed by Gudla Jayachandra Reddy and his wife, seeking restoration of the custody of their adopted daughter. The petitioners alleged that the respondent authorities forcibly took the custody of the child without following the due procedure established by law. The petitioners further alleged that the child was handed over to the director of child welfare project and the Integrated Child Protection Services (ICPS), Sishuvihar state home. The petitioners stated that they were heartbroken by this highhanded behaviour. They had adopted the five-day old girl two years back. After hearing the petitioners, the judge directed the respondent authorities to file their reply and posted the matter for further adjudication.
Father of a juvenile diabetic slams officials for denying him transfer
The guardian of a juvenile diabetic moved the Telangana High Court complaining of state insensitivity in exercising power for his transfer. Justice Pulla Karthik of Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the actions of the principal secretary of Telangana school education department in rejecting permanent allocation of a school teacher from Jagtial district to Hanamkonda district. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by a school assistant at ZPHS, Jagtial district. The petitioner alleged that the respondent authority failed to consider the request of the petitioner for permanent allocation to Hanamkonda district owing to the medical condition of his juvenile diabetic child. The petitioner also alleged that the respondent authorities failed to consider the difficulties faced by the petitioner in staying away from his wife and family. The petitioner complained that the action of the respondent in not considering the representations of the petitioner was not only unreasonable but also unconstitutional. After hearing the petitioner, the judge directed the government pleader to get instructions and posted the matter for further adjudication.
