The Telangana High Court has directed the state director general of police to ensure that HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath appears in person on November 17 in a contempt case concerning the alleged demolition and takeover of a structure on about nine acres of land in Shamshabad. The court also ordered Cyberabad police to ensure the appearance of Shamshabad tahsildar Amar Lingam on the same day.
Justice CV Bhaskar Reddy issued the directions after taking a serious view of the alleged failure of the officials to comply with earlier court directions. The judge also dismissed separate applications filed by the HYDRAA commissioner and the tahsildar seeking exemption from personal appearance.
The contempt proceedings were initiated by Mohammed Tajamaluddin in relation to 43,560 square yards of land in Shamshabad. According to the petitioner’s case, the property was placed on the prohibited properties list under Section 22-A of the Registration Act, despite his claim of ownership and possession since the 1980s.
In October 2024, the High Court had permitted Tajamaluddin to submit an application, along with documents supporting his right and title, seeking removal of the land from the prohibited list. The authorities were directed to examine the application, take necessary steps and issue a reasoned order in accordance with law, subject to the petitioner fulfilling the prescribed conditions.
Tajamaluddin has alleged that HYDRAA took forcible possession of the property without issuing notice and in violation of the principles of natural justice. His petition states that the agency dismantled an existing structure, erected fencing and installed a nameplate declaring that the property belonged to the government. These allegations are part of the contempt proceedings and have not been established as final findings in the case.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the landowner was in possession of the property and that the tahsildar and HYDRAA commissioner had taken possession despite the court’s directions. The counsel urged the court to initiate contempt action against the officials.
The court had previously directed both officials to appear on November 11 after issuing notices during a hearing on October 13. Neither official appeared before the court on Wednesday, prompting the latest direction involving the state police chief and Cyberabad police.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 17, when the HYDRAA commissioner and the Shamshabad tahsildar are expected to appear personally before the Telangana High Court.
