'Court has superior powers’: Telangana HC warns HYDRAA boss Ranganath against 'misuse of authority’

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has cautioned Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) Commissioner A Ranganath against `misuse of authority’ and violations of court directives while executing lake rejuvenation works.

Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy, hearing contempt petitions filed against the agency, reminded officials that all actions must remain within the “limits of the rule of law.”

‘Authority is not for showing power’

Appearing virtually before the court, Commissioner A Ranganath was confronted with pointed questions on HYDRAA’s methods and its alleged disregard for court orders.

“Authority is not given for showing power. Please do good to the people and be humanistic,” Justice Vijaysen Reddy said.

Warning that the court “has superior powers,” he urged HYDRAA to avoid forcing the judiciary to intervene further. “What we have to do, we will do. Don’t make us use such power,” he remarked.

Contempt over Tammidikunta Status Quo Violation

The contempt proceedings stem from allegations that HYDRAA violated status quo orders relating to land near Tammidikunta in Khanamet village. Despite directions issued in April, petitioners said HYDRAA went ahead with works under the guise of lake restoration.

Landowners accused the agency of flooding their land and rendering it unusable without conducting basic surveys, such as establishing the Full Tank Level (FTL) or buffer zone. They rejected HYDRAA’s claim that the land was “assignment land” and questioned the agency’s authority to determine land classification.

‘Under what provision are you empowered?’

Justice Vijaysen Reddy demanded clarity on HYDRAA’s statutory powers. “Do you act suo motu? Let us know where HYDRAA works and to what extent the agency can go,” he said.

The court questioned whether HYDRAA had the mandate to perform functions belonging to multiple departments, including GHMC, HMDA, municipalities, the water board, and the revenue department. The judge asked Ranganath to explain his “perception of HYDRAA’s powers” and its role in lake rejuvenation activities.

Ignoring SC Guidelines, Court says

When Ranganath submitted that the public was appreciative of HYDRAA’s work and approaching it with complaints on encroachments, the judge referred to Supreme Court guidelines mandating prior notice and hearing before any demolition.

“Where did you follow it? If you followed it, why are people coming to court?” Justice Vijaysen Reddy asked. He expressed concern about citizens who may have purchased land knowingly or unknowingly in FTL or buffer zones, only to have their properties demolished without warning.

“You are throwing them on the roads, demolishing their structures highhandedly,” he said, adding that HYDRAA had continued unjustified actions even after court orders.

‘Don’t harm the name of doing good’

The court took a serious view of cases where officials allegedly demolished small shelters on 50–100 sq. yard plots, often during weekends and without issuing any notice. “Where will they go?” the judge asked, pointing out that governments themselves later regularise similar structures under building and land regulation schemes.

“If you want to restore lakes, purchase the land in the FTL and buffer zone. Do not harm the name of doing good,” Justice Vijaysen Reddy advised.

Court seeks strict compliance.

Justice Vijaysen Reddy repeatedly reminded the commissioner to ensure that citizens should not be forced to return to court, citing violations of its orders or lapses in due procedure.

Emphasising the sanctity of judicial directions, the court said it was fully aware of the value of its orders and equally aware of how to respond if they were not followed.