Telangana High Court continues stay on order to relieve HYDRAA chief

The Telangana High Court continued its stay on an order directing the State Government to relieve HYDRAA Commissioner Ranganath. However, it set aside directions protecting possession and maintaining status quo over disputed land at Lothukunta. The matter will be heard on January 20

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Justice Renuka Yara of the Telangana High Court on Tuesday continued the interim stay on the implementation of the Single Judge’s order directing the State Government to relieve Ranganath from the post of HYDRAA Commissioner.

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However, the Division Bench set aside the directions restraining interference with the possession of the disputed property and maintaining status quo over the same. The Division Bench was hearing contempt appeals challenging the order passed by the Single Judge on July 27 in a contempt case filed by Shanta Sriram Constructions Pvt. Ltd.

In connection with a land dispute at Lothukunta in Malkajgiri Mandal. On September 1, another Division Bench had stayed the direction to relieve the HYDRAA Commissioner, while also directing the appellant not to interfere with the possession of the disputed property and requiring the petitioner to maintain status quo.

During Tuesday’s hearing, senior counsel appearing for the appellant raised objections regarding the identification of the disputed property. Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner had already established its ownership and possessory rights in the suit instituted by the State Government.

It was further submitted that the High Court had upheld the rejection of the plaint and that the Supreme Court had dismissed the Special Leave Petition filed by the State Government on September 18.

The Division Bench clarified that the scope of the present contempt appeals was confined to the Single Judge’s direction to relieve the HYDRAA Commissioner from his post and that the proposed survey for identification of the disputed property would not be examined in these proceedings. The Bench continued the stay on the direction to relieve the Commissioner until further orders.

However, it set aside the directions restraining interference with possession and maintaining status quo over the disputed property. The matter was adjourned to January 20, 2027.