GHMC commissioner appears before HC; court asks why 10-yr delay in filing counter

Hyderabad: A Telangana High Court Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice C.V Bhaskar Reddy on Friday heard public interest litigation filed by Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL), represented by its former convener Dr. Jasveen Jairath seeking to declare the action of the GHMC in filling up land and taking up construction activity opposite to Sanjeevaiah Park which falls within the water spread area.

Further, the petitioner alleged that the inaction of the state government and its authorities was illegal and unconstitutional. The petitioner submitted before the court to direct the state government and its concerned authorities to remove the constructions, including the landfill walls, concrete structures opposite Sanjeevayya Park in the Hussain Sagar Lake area, Hyderabad.

Moreover, to restore the lake to its pristine glory after declaring that the land which is part of the lake buffer zone cannot be filled and used for any purpose or to raise structures even if it is adjacent to the road.

Adhering to the court orders, GHMC commissioner Lokesh Kumar appeared before the CJ Bench on Friday.

Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan asked why the officials did not file the affidavit for 10 years even though the plea was filed in 2012 and notices given by the court.

GHMC commissioner Lokesh Kumar informed the court that due to the delimitation of GHMC circles in 2016, they could not file the affidavit. The affidavit was filed before the court on 23 August 2022.

Further, Mr. Lokesh Kumar requested the court to dispense him from appearing before the court as being in an official capacity he will abide by the law.

Consenting to the request of the GHMC commissioner, the CJ Bench barred him from further appearing before the court.

Further, the court directed to give counter copies to all the parties in the plea.

The matter was adjourned to 16 November 2022.