Kothagudem corporation formation: Telangana HC refuses interim relief

Telangana High Court refused to grant interim relief in pleas challenging the formation of Kothagudem Municipal Corporation, observing that the petitioners failed to establish a prima facie case that Scheduled Area norms were violated in the merger process

Hyderabad: Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Monday declined to grant any interim relief in writ petitions challenging the formation of Kothagudem Municipal Corporation by merging Kothagudem and Paloncha municipalities in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.

The writ petition was filed by Potru Praveen Kumar questioning the establishment of the Municipal Corporation on the ground that certain villages falling within Scheduled Areas, as notified under the Presidential Notification dated December 7, 1950, were included in the merger without complying with Article 243ZC(3) of the Constitution of India.

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During the hearing, the State government filed a counter affidavit categorically denying the allegations made by the petitioners. The Bench noted that despite sufficient hearing, the counsel for the petitioners failed to demonstrate how the areas merged with the Kothagudem Municipal Corporation formed part of the Scheduled Areas as per the Presidential Notification.

Taking note of the submissions, the Court observed that no prima facie case was made out for granting interim orders at this stage and accordingly declined to interfere. The Bench also permitted other implead petitioners to file their counter affidavits and adjourned the matter for further hearing by four weeks.