GHMC officials colluded with encroachers: HC on illegal constructions at Miyapur's Matrusri Nagar public park

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court said that GHMC officials colluded with the encroachers in permitting illegal constructions at a public park in Matrusri Nagar in Miyapur. The court was hearing a petition filed by Vinay Vangala, a resident of Matrusri Nagar who had sought action against GHMC for not removing illegal constructions in the park despite several representations and complaints at various forums.

The court said that the respondents who are duty-bound to act have failed to discharge the responsibilities in spite of the best efforts of the petitioner. The court also said that it appeared that the respondents have colluded with the persons who are encroaching. This action of the respondents is highly arbitrary and cannot be appreciated, said the court.

Further, the court directed the GHMC to take action on the matter within four weeks and file a compliance report before the court.

Background of the case

A local colony association, Matrusri Nagar Residents Welfare Association, had constructed a two-storey building, a temple, and a huge open-air banquet hall shed in a public park land that belonged to the GHMC. The association was conducting various commercial activities there.

Since a public park that is meant to act as an urban lung space filled with greenery was being occupied by private persons with illegal constructions, Vinay filed a complaint to the authorities in 2018. Although the GHMC issued a notice to the association at the time saying they had encroached into GHMC's land, the association did not stop its construction activities and nor did the GHMC take any further action.

Aggrieved by this attitude of the GHMC, Vinay approached the State Human Rights Commission seeking an inquiry into the same as it was violating his right to a clean environment and fresh air which form an essential part of the right to life. Upon the notice of the Human Rights Commission, the GHMC filed a report in which it clearly admitted that there were constructions made by the association in the public park belonging to GHMC but again failed to take any action.

Surprised by the GHMC's inaction even after that, Vinay filed a petition in the High Court. "After running from pillar to post for the past years and not seeing any action by the authorities, I was constrained to approach the High Court of Telangana on the issue by invoking its writ jurisdiction," said Vinay.