BRS seeks judicial probe into HYDRAA after High Court order

The BRS intensified its attack on the Congress government after the High Court directed the removal of HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath. Party leaders demanded a judicial probe into HYDRAA's functioning, alleging selective action, irregularities and misuse of power since the agency's inception.

Hyderabad: The BRS on Tuesday stepped up its attack on the Congress government over the High Court’s direction to remove HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, demanding a judicial probe into the agency’s activities since its inception. BRSLP whip KP Vivekananda and MLC Dasoju Sravan accused the government of running a bulldozer regime and demanded accountability.

Addressing a press conference, BRSLP whip and Quthbullapur MLA KP Vivekananda welcomed the High Court’s directions, terming them a victory for the poor. He demanded that a sitting High Court judge conduct a comprehensive inquiry into HYDRAA’s functioning and the alleged irregularities.

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Vivekananda said the verdict raised questions over Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s continuation as Minister for Municipal Administration, under whose department HYDRAA functions. Alleging that the agency had become an instrument of selective action, he said it caused more harm than public good. He asserted that merely replacing the Commissioner would not change the situation unless the government’s approach changed. He reiterated BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s promise to abolish HYDRAA if the party returns to power.

Speaking to mediapersons separately, BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan termed the High Court’s order a significant judicial intervention against Bulldozer Raj and said such directions for the removal of senior officials were rare. He alleged that the verdict had vindicated the BRS’ long-standing criticism that HYDRAA had exceeded its mandate. He said the HYDRAA Commissioner’s reported remarks on the High Court order amounted to contempt of court. He stated that the agency acted at the behest of the Chief Minister and indulged in selective action.

He also questioned why alleged illegal constructions by influential individuals had escaped action while houses belonging to ordinary citizens were demolished. He recalled that the government had ignored court orders in several instances and warned that power was not permanent. He maintained that the High Court’s observations had exposed the functioning of HYDRAA and demanded that the State government ensure that all officials function strictly within the framework of the law and the Constitution.