On August 12, the Telangana High Court initiated contempt proceedings against HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath for demolishing structures at Vani Cooperative Housing Society in Malkajgiri, despite a status quo order. Justice NV Sravan Kumar ordered the registry to issue a contempt notice to Ranganath, giving him two weeks to explain why HYDRAA carried out the demolitions without verifying pending court stays or securing instructions from revenue authorities. The court was hearing a plea by plot owners who alleged high-handed action by HYDRAA and revenue officials. The society had developed the plots under a layout sanctioned by the Secunderabad Cantonment Board in 1990. The Medchal District Collector and Tahsildars appeared before the court, stating that no orders had been issued to HYDRAA to carry out demolitions. The agency had carried out about 40 demolitions across the district without orders. The court questioned how the demolitions were carried out without proper records and ordered the Collector to submit a report detailing where HYDRAA had carried out demolitions without permission. The matter has been adjourned to August 27. This contempt notice adds to the cases against Ranganath, who is facing 63 contempt of court petitions.
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📰 Source: Siasat Gulf