`Not above law’: Telangana HC finds HYDRAA chief Ranganath guilty of contempt in Bathukamma Kunta case

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has held HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath guilty of contempt for violating its status quo orders in the Bathukamma Kunta case.

The court directed authorities to restore the site to its original condition and remove all structures and markers suggesting HYDRA’s control over the land. The court said no official is above the law.

Court finds violation of Status Quo orders

Hearing a contempt petition filed by Sudhakar Reddy, a division bench comprising Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Justice P. Madhusudhan Rao noted that its interim order dated June 12 last year had explicitly permitted only flood mitigation works at the site.

It had also directed that the nature of the land should not be altered or the petitioner’s rights affected.

However, based on photographs submitted to the court, it found that authorities had gone beyond these directions. Under the pretext of drainage works, developments such as a children’s play area, walking track, garden, and borewells were undertaken.

Site turned into park, says Court

The bench observed that the area had effectively been converted into a park, with gates installed and public access regulated during specific hours. Such actions, it said, were in direct violation of the court’s orders and constituted contempt.

The court directed that all boards at the site be removed and that no indication should remain suggesting the land is under HYDRA’s possession. It also ordered the submission of a compliance report and adjourned the matter to April 27.

“You are not above the law”

In a separate hearing, the High Court expressed serious displeasure over HYDRAA’s functioning, stating that the Commissioner is not above the law.

Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar, while hearing a petition filed by Purnima challenging HYDRAA’s takeover of a 650-square-yard plot in Sahebnagar Kalan (Hayathnagar mandal, Rangareddy district), noted that multiple petitions have been filed against the agency.

He pointed out that even court orders in some cases were not being implemented.

Court questions overreach by HYDRAA

The court remarked that HYDRA appears to be exceeding its mandate under the guise of protecting government lands. It emphasized that, as per the government order establishing HYDRAA, the Commissioner must function in accordance with guidelines issued by the Municipal Administration Department’s Principal Secretary, and not act unilaterally.

It also objected to HYDRAA’s interference in lands that are already under litigation in courts, calling such actions unacceptable.

The court directed HYDRAA’s counsel to submit complete details in the matter and adjourned the hearing to March 24.