Nagaram land case: Rangareddy DC draws Telangana HC's ire for not submitting status report

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has pulled up Rangareddy district collector (DC) C Narayan Reddy for failing to submit a report on the status of the disputed land at Nagaram village in Maheshwaram mandal.

The court passed the strictures after DC failed to submit the report despite repeated directions over the past three months.

The land, listed in the prohibited category and adjoining Bhoodan land, is reportedly owned by IAS and IPS officers, as well as their family members.

Collector’s inaction draws court’s ire

Justice EV Venugopal expressed sharp displeasure at the collector’s inaction and said the officer’s conduct reflected poorly on the administration.

“What is stopping you? Even after a gap of over three months, you were still unable to file the report. This shows the conduct of a public officer,” the judge remarked.

The court had earlier instructed the collector to inspect the land in Survey Nos. 194 and 195, and report whether any construction or change of ownership was taking place in violation of its orders.

Contempt petitions over ongoing activity

The direction stemmed from contempt petitions that alleged that, despite the court’s ban on any transaction or alteration on the disputed land, construction of compound walls and other works was continuing.

ED documents cited; petitioner disputes claim

During the hearing, the assistant government pleader for revenue said the report could not be filed as key documents had been seized by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and efforts were underway to retrieve them.

However, the petitioner, Birla Mallesh, through his counsel, contested the claim and told the court that no inspection had been carried out at the site despite multiple orders.

Court sets one-week deadline

Taking serious note of the delay, Justice Venugopal directed the collector to submit a comprehensive report within a week, including an explanation for the three-month delay.

The judge also instructed the builder accused of carrying out illegal constructions on the site to file a counter within the same period.