Telangana High Court Relief for HYDRAA Commissioner Ranganath
The Telangana High Court has cancelled the earlier order seeking removal of HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, giving him significant relief in the ongoing legal dispute.
HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath has received major relief from the Telangana High Court. A division bench has set aside the earlier order of a single judge that had directed the state government to remove him from the commissioner’s post.
The division bench has now cancelled those directions and adjourned further proceedings in the matter to November 3.
The case relates to demolition activity carried out by officials on August 17 at Lothkunta village in Medchal Malkajgiri district. The action involved around 40 acres of land covered by Survey Numbers 1 and 2.
Shantha Sriram Constructions Private Limited challenged the demolitions and approached the court with a contempt petition. During the earlier hearing, the single judge made strong observations about alleged violations of court orders by officials.
The single judge had expressed concern that officials who repeatedly disregard court directions could undermine the rule of law. The court also referred to the number of contempt cases involving Ranganath.
According to the earlier order, 9,290 contempt cases had remained pending over the previous five years, while 63 cases had been filed against Ranganath in a period of about one and a half years. Taking these developments into account, the single judge directed the state Chief Secretary to remove him as HYDRAA Commissioner.
Ranganath challenged the single judge’s decision before the High Court. The division bench has now overturned that order, providing him relief for the time being.
The latest decision does not bring the wider dispute to an end, as the matter is scheduled to come up again before the court on November 3. Further proceedings are expected to clarify the legal issues surrounding the demolition action and the allegations raised in the contempt petition.
