Telangana High Court talks tough on unauthorised sale of assigned lands

Directs Ranga Reddy district Collector to investigate the illegal registration of 0.335 guntas of land in Sy No 176/23, Aziznagar village, Moinabad mandal

Hyderabad: Justice CV Bhaskar Reddy of the Telangana High Court has taken a strong view against the unauthorised sale of assigned lands, directing the Ranga Reddy district Collector to investigate the illegal registration of 0.335 guntas of land in Sy No 176/23, Aziznagar village, Moinabad mandal.

Justice Bhaskar Reddy further instructed that criminal cases be registered against revenue and registration officials found responsible for permitting these transactions in violation of the Telangana Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977.

---

The case arose from a petition filed by the wife and three daughters of one Antharam Laxmaiah, who challenged the sale of land originally assigned to the latter. The petitioners alleged that certain male heirs, in collusion with officials, unlawfully transferred the land to a third party despite clear restrictions on assigned land transactions.

The court noted that the assigned land was meant solely for agricultural purposes, yet revenue officials reclassified it as non-agricultural and facilitated its registration in 2021 at the Chevella Sub-Registrar’s Office. Justice Reddy underscored that officials involved in unauthorised transactions of assigned lands would be held criminally liable, emphasising Section 7 of the 1977 Act, which prescribes imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of Rs 10,000, or both for violations.

The court mandated the District Collector to complete the inquiry within three months from the date of receiving the complaint and reiterated that strict legal compliance is essential to prevent the misuse of assigned lands.

Phone tapping case
Justice B Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court directed the Nampally trial court to expeditiously decide the bail petitions of Thodupunoori Santosh Kumar and Bandi Parsharamulu, accused in the phone tapping case linked to former Minister T Harish Rao.

Justice B Vijaysen Reddy issued the direction after the accused approached the High Court through a writ petition moved by way of lunch motion. The petitioners sought immediate release, alleging that their arrest by Panjagutta police on February 15 was unlawful.

The petitioners claimed that neither they nor their families were given prior notice and that the police harassed them under the guise of investigation. While the petitioners sought bail from the High Court, the judge refrained from granting relief directly and instead instructed the trial court to hear and decide their bail applications at the earliest.

Shivaji Jayanti celebrations
Justice B Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court directed the Hyderabad Police to grant permission to Veer Shivaji Sena and BJYM, Golconda, to hold ‘Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti’ celebrations on February 19 with a gathering of 150 participants from 4 pm to 6 pm.

The event would begin from Pillar No 1331, Sundar Bhavan, opposite Hanuman Mandir, Troop Bazar, Jambagh, Hyderabad. The organisers have been instructed to maintain peace and ensure that the event is conducted without any disruptions. The court also clarified that police are free to take action against the organisers if there is any breach of law and order.