HC summons HYDRAA commissioner Ranganath for demolitions in Ameenpur

Hyderabad: On Friday, the Telangana High Court summoned HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath IPS to appear before the court on September 30 (Monday).

The HC criticised the HYDRAA chief for ‘going on a demolition spree of the residential complexes’ in Ameenpur Municipality by issuing notice a day before the demolitions. The HC also ordered the Ameenpur Municipality tahsildar to appear before the court.

The HC said that HYDRAA had violated the previous orders of the court prohibiting demolitions in Ameenpur, based on a petition filed by the residents earlier.

“If it is not possible to appear physically, the HYDRAA commissioner and the Ameenpur tahsildar should appear virtually and explain to the court the legal basis by which HYDRAA was constituted, its powers, duties and the statute backing the HYDRAA and the reasons for violating the court orders and demolishing the property of the petitioners,” an HC single bench comprising Justice Kunuru Lakshman said.

Background of HYDRAA

HYDRAA, (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency) tasked with overseeing urban development in Hyderabad, is responsible for ensuring that zoning regulations and master plans are adhered to.

Their role includes protecting natural resources like water bodies, which has led to their involvement in this case. However, the society members argue that their land does not pose any environmental risk.

The targeted property had a hospital, say petitioners

The Judge was adjudicating the writ petition filed by Md Rafi, a doctor and other residents of Madhura Nagar, Beeramguda, Ameenpur Municipality, who were aggrieved by the action of the HYDRAA in demolishing their property. The property is said to have contained a hospital, constructed in plot No 92 in 270 square yards in survey numbers 165 and 166 at Sri Krishna Nagar Kistareddypet gram panchayat, Ameenpur Mandal in Sangareddy district.

The contention of the petitioner is that they have constructed the said property by obtaining requisite permissions from the gram panchayat, well within the prescribed time limit of 24 months. The petitioners also said that they have replied to the notice from the revenue officials.

‘HYDRAA went against court orders’

The court also found fault with the standing counsel for HYDRAA and the government counsel for the revenue, who informed the court that the HYDRAA or the revenue officials would not interfere with the peaceful possession of the property when asked by the court, but later, the said property was demolished.

The judge, during the course of the hearing, said that HYDRAA, constituted as per the GO 99 dated July 19 this year is a nodal agency to protect the government assets by coordinating with the local bodies and has to provide men and machinery for removing unauthorised encroachments and structures in the government land.

In this particular case, the court had passed orders in another writ petition filed by the same petitioner, directing the revenue officials and the HYDRAA not to interfere with the peaceful possession of the property of the petitioner on September 5.

Despite the orders of the court, Ameenpur Tahsildar and HYDRAA officials went to the property of the petitioner in Ameenpur Mandal, Sangareddy District, and demolished the said structure.

The case was adjourned to September 30.

HC stays HYDRAA demolitions around Durgam Cheruvu

Recently, the Telangana High Court issued an interim order halting HYDRAA demolitions around Durgam Cheruvu after a petition filed by residents of Amar Society in Madhapur.

A few weeks ago, the Serilingampally Revenue Department served a notice to Tirupati Reddy to demolish his illegal residence in Amar Society which falls under the Full Tank Level (FTL) of Durgam Cheruvu.

The notice, issued under Section 23 (1) of the WALTA Act, mentioned that Tirupati Reddy’s property came under the FTL of Durgam Cheruvu and gave a deadline to demolish it within a month after receiving the notices.