HYDRAA chief Ranganath tenders unconditional apology to Telangana HC over contempt notice
The court earlier directed the commissioner to appear after A. Sudhakar Reddy filed a contempt plea alleging HYDRAA violated the June 12 status quo order on private land at Bathukamma Kunta
By - Newsmeter Network
File Photo
Hyderabad: In a significant development, Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) Commissioner AV Ranganath on Friday appeared before the Telangana High Court and tendered an unconditional apology in connection with contempt proceedings related to the Bathukamma Kunta land dispute.
What is the case about?
The court had earlier directed the commissioner to be present following a contempt petition filed by A Sudhakar Reddy, who alleged that HYDRAA had violated the High Court’s interim status quo order issued on June 12, concerning a parcel of private land within the Bathukamma Kunta area.
Despite the court’s direction to appear on October 31, Commissioner Ranganath sought an exemption, citing urgent administrative duties in Bachupally. His plea for exemption was heard on November 27 by a Division Bench comprising Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Justice BR Madhusudhan Rao.
During the hearing, Special Government Pleader Swarup Urilla argued that the Commissioner’s absence was due to unavoidable official responsibilities and his intention not to inconvenience the court.
However, the Bench expressed sharp disapproval, observing that while it appreciated the Commissioner’s stated concern for the court, it could, if necessary, require an officer facing contempt to personally stand before the Bench.
Consequently, the Division Bench dismissed the exemption petition of Ranganath and reiterated the court’s earlier direction for the commissioner to appear in person.
Complying with the court’s orders, Commissioner Ranganath appeared on Friday and tendered an unconditional apology for the alleged non-compliance with the court’s interim orders.
The division bench accepts the apology, and the presence of the HYDRAA Commissioner Ranganath on the next dates of hearing is dispensed with.
The High Court is expected to continue hearing the matter as it examines the merits of the contempt allegations.
For further hearing, the matter was adjourned to December 18.
