`On whose orders you acted’: Telangana HC slams HYDRAA for carrying out demolitions at FCI Housing Society, Gachibowli

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court on Tuesday slammed HYDRAA for carrying out pre-dawn demolitions at the Fertilisers Corporation of India (FCI) Housing Society in Gachibowli.

The court questioned the urgency, legality, and jurisdiction of the operation despite earlier court instructions.

HYDRAA’s pre-dawn action under scrutiny

Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy asked why HYDRAA entered the private housing society at all, pointing out that the land neither fell under a lake’s full tank level nor belonged to the government.

The demolished structures belonged to Sandhya Conventions and its sister units, owned by S. Sridhar Rao, located in Survey Nos. 122, 123, 124, and 127.

The judge inquired about the orders under which the agency acted and noted that both GHMC and HYDRAA had earlier granted no-objection certificates for the buildings.

Internal Roads Encroachment: Who has Authority?

When the state submitted that the constructions had encroached on internal roads of the colony, the judge questioned which authority—HYDRAA or the survey department—was responsible for marking those roads.

Justice Reddy also asked senior counsel L. Ravi Chander whether HYDRAA even had the jurisdiction to intervene in matters related to internal layouts within private societies.

Contempt petitions over alleged violation of Court Orders

The hearing was on contempt petitions filed by Sandhya Conventions Group, alleging that HYDRAA went ahead with demolitions on Monday despite the court’s earlier direction to issue notice and follow due procedure if violations were detected.

HYDRAA’s counsel, senior advocates Prasad and Mayur Reddy, countered that the builders had shown “defenceless, wanton and brazen” disregard for court orders.

Judge Questions ‘Overzealousness’ of HYDRAA

Justice Reddy reminded HYDRAA commissioner Ranganath that he had been explicitly cautioned last Friday about avoiding further contempt.

“Is it overzealousness against Sandhya Conventions? Was it so difficult to wait for court orders?” he asked, expressing displeasure that HYDRAA had still not filed its counter detailing its statutory powers.

The judge observed that if HYDRAA acted without legal backing, it would pose serious issues.

State’s Lack of Information Irks Court

Additional Advocate-General Imran Khan told the court he had no instructions from HYDRAA on why the demolitions were carried out before sunrise. Petitioners argued this was unacceptable, as the incident had occurred more than 30 hours earlier.

The AAG assured the court: “Everything will be placed on record. Even if something was wrong, it would be put on paper.”

Court imposes a two-week No-entry order

Justice Reddy asked what objections plot owners would have if a survey were conducted and directed all parties to stay away from the disputed properties for the next 15 days.

He instructed both sides to submit sale agreements, LRS documents, building permissions, and related records.

The Additional AG was directed to obtain from HYDRAA, by Thursday, a detailed explanation for the demolitions. Until then, the status quo must be maintained.