Telangana Legal Briefs | Power Of Dist Coop Officer To Amend Bylaws Questioned

Hyderabad: Justice T. Madhavi Devi of Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the power of the district registrar under the cooperative society to unilaterally approve amendments of the society bylaws. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Sneha Rural Development Society, Kodad, questioning the action of the district registrar, Nalgonda, in unilaterally approving amendments to the society’s records dated March 21, 2025. The petitioner alleged that the registrar acted illegally and without authority by removing existing office-bearers vice-president Shaik Hussain Babu, general secretary Shaik Nagul Meera, and executive member Shaik Rajiya Begum and replacing them with private individuals, based on an application filed by the president. It was contended that the impugned amendment was approved despite the pendency of a petition before the Suryapet district court, in relation to disputes within the society. The petitioner argued that the action violated principles of natural justice, amounted to abuse of official position, and was in contravention of the Telangana Societies Registration Act, 2001. The petitioner sought quashing of the registrar’s acknowledgment and a direction to restore the original membership and office-bearer records pending resolution of the dispute before the civil court. Justice Madhavi Devi took note of the submissions and posted the matter for further hearing.

Commercial Tax authority directed to take prompt action in releasing passport

A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court comprising acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yarra directed the appropriate authority to deal with the application of parents wanting to travel abroad. The direction was issued deputy commissioner of state tax, commercial taxes department, to dispose of a representation seeking the release of passports within seven days. The panel was dealing with a writ plea filed by Shikha Mehta and others, who requested the release of their passports to attend the graduation ceremonies of their children in Canada. The petitioners pointed out that their passports was deposited with the investigation officer pursuant to an earlier order in a criminal petition. The panel observed that the writ was limited to seeking disposal of their pending representation. The panel refrained from expressing any opinion on the merits of the case. However, it emphasised the need for prompt administrative action and directed the concerned authority to take a decision within a week.

High voltage Transformer before temple challenged

Justice Pulla Karthik of Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the installation of a high-voltage transformer directly in front of the temple entrance. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by the temple committeee of Sri Laxmi Devi and Peddamma Temple located at Mallepally. The petitioner challenged the action of the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) in installing a 256 KV transformer in front of the temple’s main entrance, terming it arbitrary, illegal, and violative of the rights of devotees. It alleged that the authorities attempted to demolish two rooms within the temple premises without providing notice or obtaining consent from the temple committee. The petitioner contended that while the land belonged to the government, a portion of it was granted for religious purposes, and the presence of the transformer directly obstructed access and disrupted temple activities. The temple committee and devotees raised repeated objections, citing safety concerns and interference with religious practices. However, the transformer was not relocated despite these representations. The respondent authorities contended that the installation was necessitated due to expansion works within the ITI campus. The judge directed the respondent authorities to file their response.

Pharma director granted bail by HC

Justice J. Sreenivas Rao of Telangana High Court granted bail to a sexagenarian managing director of a pharmaceutical company accused in a narcotics case involving large-scale mephedrone production. The judge dealt with a bail petition filed by the wife of Dr Madabhushini Vasudeva Chary, managing director of Sri Yadadri Lifesciences Private Limited. According to the prosecution, the petitioner allowed his factory premises to be used for manufacturing over 200 kilograms of mephedrone in two separate instances in August and November 2024. It was alleged that the manufacturing was carried out by other co-accused with the petitioner’s knowledge and presence. The petitioner was produced through a PT warrant and has been in judicial custody since December 2024. Counsel for the petitioner submitted that he was falsely implicated based solely on the confession statements of co-accused, and no contraband was recovered from him. It was argued that the petitioner, who suffers from diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac ailments, was cooperating with the authorities and that a major part of the investigation was complete. After considering the submissions and medical condition of the petitioner, the judge enlarged the petitioner on conditional bail. The judge also cautioned that any repeat offence would result in automatic cancellation of bail.