Telangana High Court dismisses petitions on TGPSC Group I selection process

The court's decision comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding the selection process, which has faced multiple setbacks since its inception.

BY LEGAL CORRESPONDENT

Hyderabad: Justice Pulla Karthik of the Telangana High Court has dismissed a batch of writ petitions challenging the ongoing selection process for Group-I services conducted by the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TGPSC). The court’s decision comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding the selection process, which has faced multiple setbacks since its inception.

---

The TGPSC had issued a notification for Group-I services on April 26, 2022. However, the selection process encountered numerous obstacles, including cancellation of the written examination in October 2022 due to a leak of the question paper. Following this incident, a re-examination was conducted in 2023, but the High Court found fault with the process, stating that it violated established protocols.

In response to the issues raised, the Commission issued a fresh notification on February 19, 2024, and subsequently conducted the written preliminary exams on June 9, 2024. The recent batch of writ petitions filed by candidates alleged that the master key used for evaluating the answers contained significant errors that could materially impact the selection process. Furthermore, the petitions contended that the Commission overstepped its jurisdiction by issuing a new notification when previous directions mandated a re-conduct of the examination.

After a thorough examination of the various arguments presented, Justice Pulla Karthik dismissed the writ petitions on their merits, though the detailed judgment was yet to be made available.

High Court asks HYDRAA, revenue officials to adhere to process

Hyderabad: Justice CV Bhasker Reddy of the Telangana High Court directed civic and revenue authorities, along with HYDRAA, to adhere strictly to due process regarding the demolition of residences belonging to over 50 residents in the Phool Bagh Petla Bridge area.

The residents were facing threats of demolition due to claims that their homes lie within the Full Tank Level (FTL) of the Musi River. Petitioners Mahender Singh and 14 others expressed their concerns about the imminent demolition, highlighting their long-standing and peaceful possession of the land in question. The petitioner’s counsel emphasized the cultural and historical significance of the area, particularly regarding the land that was gifted to Gududwara Mehar Das Ji and Hanuman Temple, located in the Petla Burj locality near the Hyderabad City Police Transport Organization. The counsel also elaborated that the Musi River’s boundaries were established during the Nizam’s rule, including the construction of a watchtower known as Petla Burj, which allowed administrators to monitor the river’s water flow, especially during monsoon seasons. They noted that this boundary wall, constructed from stone arches, extends from the Puranapul bridge to the Chaderghat bridge, and is visibly present on either side of the river.

The judge acknowledged the need for proper procedures, noting that the high-level committee would engage in discussions with the owners of the affected structures to explore rehabilitation options. Importantly, the judge stated that there is currently no immediate threat of demolition concerning the subject properties, providing some relief to the residents.