Telangana High Court raps GHMC, police for ‘evasive attitude’ on illegal constructions

Justice B Vijaysen Reddy of Telangana High Court criticizes GHMC officials for their failure to act on unauthorized constructions in Khanamet, demanding weekly reports and accountability from civic departments

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Justice B Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court on Monday came down heavily on Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials and legal representatives over their failure to act against alleged unauthorized constructions in Khanamet of Rajendranagar mandal in Rangareddy district.

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The judge was hearing a writ petition filed by Syed Rahimunnisa and seven others, who alleged that Rayapati Pratibha, Rayapati Sriharsha and GB Prasad were carrying out illegal constructions on land claimed by the petitioners, while the GHMC remained a mute spectator. The petitioners sought a direction to immediately demolish the illegal structures. Justice Vijaysen Reddy, expressing deep dissatisfaction over the lack of coordinated response and accountability among the civic officials, warned that from next Monday onwards, he would require weekly demolition reports to be placed before the court.

The Judge noted that each department was evading responsibility by passing the file along, from GHMC to the task force, from the task force to the police and from the police citing law and order priorities.

“This evasive attitude cannot be tolerated. You all just wave your hands and claim you have done your job. If this continues, I will order that a poster displaying the names of all such negligent standing counsels and officials be lit up at night for public view,” the judge remarked.

While issuing notices to the respondents, the court made it clear that there would be no demolitions until further orders. However, the court also stated it would closely monitor weekly action taken and demanded real accountability going forward.