The Telangana High Court has once again expressed its strong anger over the way HYDRA is proceeding in the matter of demolition of structures and warned that if it goes against GO 99, it will have to be cancelled and an order will have to be issued to close HYDRA.
It deplored that some people are using HYDRA making personal allegations and giving orders for demolitions with personal biases. It questioned how rights can be ascertained by just looking at documents and where is the authority to decide rights? It made it clear that notices should be given and a sufficient time to provide an explanation.
The High Court deplored whether the practice will change no matter how many times it is said that demolitions should be carried out according to law. Justice K. Lakshman conducted the hearing on the petition filed by a person named Praveen in the High Court challenging the demolition of a shed in Mutangi village of Patancheru mandal of Sangareddy district without examining the details submitted regarding his land.
As per the orders of the High Court, HYDRA Inspector Rajasekhar appeared in person. The petitioner’s lawyer said that HYDRA had carried out the demolitions on the complaint of Gayatri Members Association that construction was being carried out on the park land. He said that the Panchayat had granted the permissions on November 15, 2023.
HYDRA’s lawyer Katika Ravinder Reddy told the court that the permissions given by the Panchayat Secretary had been cancelled. He said that in the past, permissions were obtained by threatening them and orders were issued canceling them. He said that HYDRA took action only after examining all the documents.
He said that the Supreme Court had also said in the bulldozer cases that the structures blocking the roads should be demolished. The judge expressed impatience that action was being taken through legal process as per the orders given by the same court.
He said that he had issued more than 20 such orders, but petitions are still coming. How can they say that the permissions were obtained by threatening the Panchayat Secretary? If permissions were granted in 2023, how will they be cancelled in 2025? The judge questioned what they had done all these years?
He questioned why they were silent while the park was being occupied. The High Court commented that Hydra was firing with a gun on its shoulders.The High Court questioned who are you to decide? How are you saying that he has entered the park land? It questioned whether you know that the civil court is supposed to decide the rights?
It said that the Sarpanch had granted the permissions for the layout here, but where does that authority belong to the Sarpanch? The High Court ordered that the status quo be maintained in the land currently belonging to the petitioner. It ordered HYDRA to file a counter with complete details and adjourned the hearing to March 5.