Telangana HC seeks report on Former British Residency Complex, Hashmat Gunj

Hyderabad: A Telangana High Court Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji heard the “Taken Up PIL” on the renovation and repair of the British Residency Complex (now Koti Women’s College).

The Chief Justice Bench on Tuesday directed the director of the department of heritage, Telangana to file a status report on the steps taken by the state to repair and renovate the former British Residency Complex.

The CJ Bench issued notices to the state government and Union of India (Survey of India and the Archaeology department) while adjudicating the Taken Up PIL by converting the letter addressed by Turaga Vasanta Sobha, conservation architect from Hyderabad, who was aggrieved by the inaction of the state in not taking up repairs, not only of the British Residency but also Hashmat Gunj Gate and other heritage structures.

The petitioner, in her letter, informed the court that the British Residency and other heritage structures are not taken care of by the state, resulting in the dilapidated conditions of the heritage structures.

The petitioner further informed the court that the state government should declare the former British Residency Complex in Hyderabad a protected monument on par with Lucknow Residency and take steps to comprehensively repair and restore all historic structures in the state, including the British Residency Complex as it is in a deplorable condition and requires repairs.

The Chief Justice Bench issued notices to the respondent state and Central government authorities to file counter affidavits and directed the director of TS heritage department to submit the status report.

The matter was adjourned to 8 June.