‘Don’t override legal framework’: Telangana HC warns HYDRAA of halting all activities for violating norms

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court today warned Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) that all its activities, except those related to water bodies and nalas, may be halted if it continues operating without a defined legal and procedural framework.

Justice B Vijaysen Reddy made the observations while hearing a petition filed by Sandhya Group challenging the demolition of its structures at FCI Layout, Gachibowli, on November 17.

Status Quo for 15 days

The court directed both HYDRAA and Sandhya Group to stay away from the disputed site for 15 days. Individual plot owners, however, may enter their respective plots.

Justice Reddy further ruled that Sandhya Group must not take up any construction during this period, and HYDRAA officials and subordinates should also refrain from visiting the site.

Court objects to early-morning demolition

Defending HYDRAA’s action, additional advocate general (AAG) Mohd Imran Khan said multiple notices were issued to the developer, and the demolition was conducted after 6 am to remove encroachments on internal roads.

The judge, however, questioned the urgency and timing of the operation and pointed out that the notices did not clearly identify the roads or plots allegedly encroached. He also sought clarity on how HYDRAA determined the extent of encroachments.

‘Nobody knows what HYDRAA is doing’: Judge

Expressing concern over the agency’s functioning, Justice Reddy remarked that HYDRAA’s actions lack consistency and legal clarity.

He noted that even government counsels appeared unaware of the agency’s statutory backing, its standard operating procedures, or limitations.

“Every case they come with a new provision, a new argument, a new ground. I still do not know what HYDRAA is doing,” the judge said.

Warning against unchecked powers, he observed, “A day may come when a person or authority is vested with unlimited powers, and you yourself cannot control him.”

Need for formal SOPs and defined authority

Directing HYDRAA to formalise its procedures, the judge asked under what statute the agency was functioning and whether it operates under the GHMC Act. He instructed AAG Khan to advise HYDRAA on establishing clear SOPs and a transparent working structure.

Justice Reddy observed that HYDRAA’s scope of powers needed detailed judicial scrutiny before allowing further action.

Further directions

Sandhya Group and the government have been asked to submit the FCI Layout plan to the court. The judge held that the chief secretary is not a necessary party to the contempt petition filed by Sandhya Group. The matter will be examined further after receiving the required documents.