Telangana High Court raps HYDRAA for high-handedness

Case pertains to HYDRAA Inspector Rajashekar demolishing a tin shed in the property of petitioner Alagari Praveen at Muthangi village in Patancheru mandal of Sangareddy district

Hyderabad: Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court on Thursday came down heavily on the HYDRAA for its repeated high-handed actions.

“This court does not have any issue with HYDRAA, all that is expected from HYDRAA is to follow the rule of law,” Justice Lakshman said. “People are panicked of HYDRAA,” he commented.

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As directed by the court, Inspector of HYDRAA Rajashekar appeared before court in person to explain his actions with regard to demolishing a tin shed in the property of petitioner Alagari Praveen at Muthangi village in Patancheru mandal of Sangareddy district.

Not satisfied with the response submitted by the Inspector, the judge warned that he would direct initiation of disciplinary proceeding against HYDRAA authorities who are acting highhandedly without following due procedure of law.

The judge, observing that the Panchayat Secretary had granted three permissions in November 2023 to carry out construction, questioned the Inspector why no action was taken against the Panchayat Secretary. “How did the Inspector come to the conclusion that the petitioner is at fault when he has not conducted a proper inquiry or considered the explanation submitted by the petitioner,” he asked.

HYDRAA counsel Katika Ravindar Reddy assured the court that HYDRAA would be more careful in following the procedure. He said the petitioner fraudulently occupied the land, earmarked for a park, with political support. Perusing the statement of the Panchayat Secretary which read he had granted permission under pressure and coercion, the judge opined that this statement seems to be written under coercion.

The judge observed that the Inspector acted in complete violation of the procedure established under the law and warned he was inclined to stay the GO 99 if such unreasonable and arbitrary actions were repeated by the HYDRAA. The judge directed the Inspector to file a detailed response by the next date of hearing which has been scheduled for March 3.