Telangana High Court suspends order to remove HYDRAA chief A.V. Ranganath

The Telangana High Court suspended a Single Judge’s order directing the State government to remove HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath in contempt proceedings linked to a land dispute. The Division Bench posted Ranganath’s appeal for further hearing on November 3

By legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Tuesday suspended the order of a Single Judge directing the State government to remove A.V. Ranganath from the post of Commissioner of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) in connection with contempt proceedings arising from a land dispute.

---

The Division Bench was hearing an appeal filed by Ranganath against the order passed by the Single Judge. After hearing senior advocate Rajiv Shakdher, former Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, appearing for the appellant, the Bench suspended the operation of the impugned order and posted the matter to November 3.

The dispute concerns 119 acres of land recorded in the General Land Register as GLR No. 243 in the Secunderabad Cantonment area. According to the State authorities, the land, classified as B-2 land, had been earmarked for State government purposes, including hospitals and educational institutions, with the State government holding rights over the property and being responsible for its protection.

HYDRAA erected fencing around the 119-acre parcel on July 18 following a requisition from the Revenue authorities. It was contended that Defence Estates officials had confirmed the status of the land and provided geo-coordinates, including a KML file, identifying the extent of the government land.

The controversy arose in connection with claims concerning private lands in Survey Nos. 1 and 2 of Lothukunta in Alwal mandal of Medchal-Malkajgiri district. HYDRAA maintained that these lands were situated approximately three kilometres away from the 119-acre extent covered by GLR No. 243.

It was alleged that Shantha Sriram Constructions had undertaken construction activity on land claimed by the government under GLR No. 243 while relying on permissions relating to Survey Nos. 1 and 2. The company approached the High Court and initiated contempt proceedings against HYDRAA and, separately, against Ranganath in his personal capacity.

The Single Judge, while dealing with the contempt proceedings, made several observations regarding the conduct of the HYDRAA authorities and directed the Chief Secretary to remove Ranganath as HYDRAA Commissioner and appoint another officer in his place.

Aggrieved by the direction, Ranganath filed the present appeal before the Division Bench, which on Tuesday suspended the operation of the Single Judge’s order. The matter will next be heard on November 3.