Telangana High Court issues notices over non-implementation of Official Languages Act

The Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J Sreenivas Rao on Wednesday issued notices in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case challenging the state government's failure to implement the Official Languages Act, 1966.

By Legal correspondent

Hyderabad: The division bench of the Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J Sreenivas Rao on Wednesday issued notices in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case challenging the state government’s failure to implement the Official Languages Act, 1966. The petition argues that the practice of issuing Government Orders (G.Os.), ordinances, laws, and other official communications in English, instead of Telugu, violates the Official Languages Act and constitutional provisions under Articles 14, 19(1)(a), and 345. It claims such practices are arbitrary, unfair, and misleading, leading to a misinformed citizenry. The PIL requests that the state government ensure all official documents are issued in Telugu. Notices have been issued to the Chief Secretary of the State and General Administration Department among others for their response.

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2. Justice C V Bhaskar Reddy of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the concerned authorities including Irrigation and Command Area Development Department and GHMC to investigate encroachments and unauthorized constructions near Kothacheruvu tank, located in Khajaguda Village, in response to a petition filed by the landowners adjacent to the water body.

The petitioners, R Ramakrsihna and 5 others who own land next to the tank, have raised concerns over the construction activities authorized by the municipal authorities. They allege that the respondent authorities, in violation of the building rules set forth in G.O.Ms.No.168 dated 07.04.2012, have granted building permissions to Sohini Builders LLP and Beverly Hills Owners Welfare Society, allowing them to construct on land near the Full Tank Level (FTL) of the Kothacheruvu. The petitioners claim that these constructions threaten the tank’s water retention capacity, leading to a reduction in water percolation and impacting nearby habitation.

In response to these claims, the court has directed the respondents to file a detailed counter-affidavit. Additionally, the court referring to Supreme Court’s ruling, which mandates that demolitions cannot proceed without prior approval from the apex court, clarified that this order does not apply to unauthorized structures on public lands such as roads, footpaths, or water bodies, where demolition orders by courts are enforceable.

The court further instructed the authorities to review the complaints submitted by the petitioners on 06.09.2024 and 10.09.2024, and to issue notices to all interested parties. If any encroachments are identified on the sikham land or tank bed of Kothacheruvu, the authorities have been directed to take immediate action to remove the encroachments and protect the water body. The case is posted to November 26 for further hearing.

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3. The Telangana High Court, has directed the Principal Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department to take appropriate legal action against Qazi Mohd Zaheeruddin for allegedly facilitating the marriage of young Muslim girls to elderly Arab Sheikhs. The order came in response to a writ petition filed by Ahmed Shujauddin Quadri, a government-appointed Qazi, who accused Qazi Mohd Zaheeruddin an Additional Qazi of Qila Mohammed Nagarof being involved in child marriages despite prior suspension and multiple FIRs. The petition, which was heard by Justice Surepalli Nanda, highlighted that Zaheeruddin, who had been suspended in 2017 for similar allegations, continued to be involved in such illegal activities even after his suspension. According to the petitioner, several FIRs were registered against Naib Qazis working under Zaheeruddin for performing child marriages, but the chief Qazi himself had not faced any consequences. Quadri contended that Zaheeruddin’s actions were not only in violation of the law but also undermined the sanctity of the office of the Qazi. The petitioner further stated that a report submitted by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in July 2021 had recommended action against Zaheeruddin, but the authorities had failed to initiate any proceedings. The report was forwarded to the Minority Welfare Department, but no steps were taken. Zaheeruddin, on the other hand, denied the allegations, arguing that no victim or their family had complained about his involvement in the child marriages. He suggested that the allegations were a result of personal vendetta between him and the petitioner, stemming from a boundary dispute regarding Qazzath areas. Zaheeruddin also contended that there were no charges directly filed against him, and his suspension from the position of Additional Qazi was done without following due process and natural justice. After hearing both sides, Justice Nanda observed that the response from the Minority Welfare Department provided details of several cases against Zaheeruddin and his associates. The court directed the department to take appropriate action under the Khazi’s Act, 1880, in light of the evidence presented, particularly the findings in the Assistant Commissioner’s report.