Telangana HC pulls up HYDRAA chief Ranganath over Sankranti speech at Bathukamma Kunta

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court expressed concern over a speech allegedly made by AV Ranganath, IPS, HYDRAA Commissioner, during the Sankranti celebrations held at Bathukamma Kunta in Amberpet.

The observations came during the hearing of a contempt case in which the Commissioner stands accused of violating court orders.

The observations were made by the HC Division Bench, comprising Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Justice BR Madhusudhan Rao, on Friday.

What was the speech about?

During the recent Sankranti festival, the HYDRAA Commissioner, while addressing the public assembled for the kite festival at Bathukamma Kunta, stated that the lake would be developed on par with other lakes that have been developed by HYDRAA.

The counsel representing the petitioner in the contempt case handed over a pen drive containing the entire speech of the HYDRAA Commissioner and informed the court that the HYDRAA chief had delivered the speech in sheer violation of court orders in the ongoing contempt case.

This contention by the Commissioner was found to be at fault because the HYDRAA Commissioner had appeared before the Court on December 5, 2025, for continuing constructions at Bathukamma Lake despite restraint orders issued by the court on the same date. The Court took the pen drive furnished by the petitioner on record for examination.

During the contempt case hearing, Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya told Swaroop Orilla, counsel for HYDRAA chief, that ‘the Commissioner could play to the gallery or play with the public but not with the court.’

The court took serious note of the speech made by the HYDRAA Commissioner on the eve of the Sankranti festival at the Bathukamma Kunta kite festival, particularly when the issue is pending adjudication before the Court.

What is the contempt case about?

It is pertinent to mention that the HYDRAA Commissioner appeared before the Court on December 5, 2025, and tendered an unconditional apology for making changes on the land of the petitioner at the Bathukammakunta in Amberpet despite the orders of the High Court, which clearly prohibited any changes to the disputed land.

On the last date of hearing itself, the Division Bench had cautioned the Commissioner to restrain himself from resorting to such activity. Despite this caution, the Commissioner delivered a speech which angered the Court.

The Judge further stated during the last hearing that the property of the petitioner has been completely transformed as major changes and constructions were made on the said property, with an exit and outlet created on the land despite there being restraint orders from the Court. The Commissioner was summoned to the Court in connection with a 7-acre land issue at Bathukammakunta in Amberpet, Hyderabad, wherein HYDRAA acted against the status quo orders in the Bathukammakunta case.

The contempt case has been adjourned to February 6, 2026, for further hearing with a direction to the HYDRAA Commissioner to file his counter affidavit by the next date of hearing.

The court’s stern observations underscore the seriousness with which it views the alleged violations of its orders and the Commissioner’s conduct in making public statements about a matter that is sub judice.