Telangana High Court Pulls Up HYDRA Again

The Telangana High Court has once again expressed strong displeasure over the functioning of HYDRA in two separate land-related cases, questioning the authorities over alleged violations of due process. Justice B. Vijay Sen Reddy directed HYDRA to remove within 24 hours a board installed on a private property in Plot No. 10 of Saheb Nagar Colony in Hayathnagar Mandal after it was allegedly identified as government land. The direction came while hearing a petition filed by Jhansi and another petitioner challenging the installation of the board. The court questioned how authorities could act without issuing notices to the landowners and directed the respondents to file a detailed counter affidavit. The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 11.

In another case, Justice N.P. Shravan Kumar criticized both HYDRA and the Tahsildar for allegedly carrying out demolitions without serving notices or providing an opportunity for explanation. The case relates to the demolition of a compound wall and a watchman's room on a 350-square-yard private plot in Kondapur, challenged by petitioner Pemmasani Sudharani. The High Court questioned the basis on which the Serilingampally Tahsildar informed HYDRA that the land in Survey No. 60 was government property. The court directed the Tahsildar to appear personally on July 30 and explain the circumstances under which such information was furnished, while also seeking clarification from HYDRA regarding the demolition process.