TS postpones auction of land in Puppalaguda after HC stay order

The Telangana High Court on 22 September had issued stay orders against the notification for auction of land of Puppalaguda village. A Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice M.S Ramachandra Rao and T. Vinod Kumar had made it clear that the state did not have the title over the said land.

"Without having the rights over the property or substantial records, the government cannot presume that it has rights over the land. It has no right to claim it," the Bench had said while dealing with a petition filed by real estate company Lakshmi Engineering and Constructions.

The firm said it had purchased the land in 2006 from the legal heirs of Navalmal Rizwani of Sindh province in present-day Pakistan who were forced to migrate to India during Partition. After the migration, the said land was given to them by the Union ministry of rehabilitation as compensation for the lands and properties left behind in Sindh.

"Telangana government's intention has always been to auction lands after ensuring clear titles. Some unscrupulous elements have filed frivolous cases in courts regarding lands identified for auction, even though the title matter has been well-settled by the Supreme Court in the government's favor. In order to provide complete assurance to prospective buyers, the government will ensure speedy disposal of all pending cases before the process of auction is resumed," the government said.

Government land parcels of nine plots to an extent of 22.79 acres at Khanamet village in Serilingampally mandal and 26 plots to an extent of 94.56 acres at Puppalaguda village in Gandipet mandal of Ranga Reddy district were put for sale through e-auction on 27 and 28 September, respectively.