Published Jul 23, 2026 | 8:16 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 23, 2026 | 8:16 PM
The Telangana High Court. (Official website)
Synopsis: The Telangana HC came down heavily on the state government, stating the court has lost faith in it while ordering the deployment of Army personnel to protect a private property in Lothkunta. The court said it is taking the step as its order has been violated repeatedly.
Making a strong observation against the state government, the Telangana High Court on Thursday, 23 July, stated that it has lost faith in the government while ordering the deployment of Army personnel to protect a privately disputed property in Lothkunta, Secunderabad.
The bench of Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti passed the direction while hearing a contempt petition by Shanta Sriram Constructions Pvt Ltd, which accused the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and its commissioner of illegally interfering with the developer’s land.
The judge said the Army should be authorised to take into custody anyone, including HYDRAA officials, if found to be entering the property and place them in barracks, adding that vehicles on site could be seized.
Even as the court acknowledged its usual reluctance to involve the Army in civil property disputes, the judge said the step was necessary after repeated violations of the court’s orders.
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The contempt petition alleges HYDRAA’s continued interference at the Lothkunta site despite prior directions, and produced photographs showing HYDRAA vehicles on the land as evidence of breach. The judge warned that, if needed, he could direct the Army to take custody of HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath for persistently violating court orders.
Earlier in the week, the court had summoned the HYDRAA chief over contempt, ordering police to be present in case custody directions were issued.
During proceedings, Additional Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy and Additional Advocate General Mohd Imran Khan assured the court that such actions would not be repeated, but the bench expressed scepticism given prior conduct.
The judge noted that the HYDRAA chief was being exempted at the time only based on the state’s assurance. He also observed that if HYDRAA continued to flout orders, the court could not be stopped from taking action.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
