The Telangana High Court has directed the Malkajgiri police commissioner to produce Medchal-Malkajgiri district collector Manu Choudary before it on November 25 in a contempt case concerning the alleged takeover of around five acres of land in Bachupally.
Justice CV Bhaskar Reddy issued the direction on Wednesday after taking a stern view of the collector’s failure to appear in compliance with earlier court directions. The court adjourned the contempt matter to November 25 and directed the police commissioner to ensure the collector’s presence on the next date of hearing.
The case was filed by Koduru Arjuna Rao, who alleged that the collector had not considered his representations despite an earlier court direction. The representations relate to the authorities treating his land at Bachupally as ceiling land under the Telangana Land Reforms (Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings) Act, 1973.
Arjuna Rao has also challenged the manner in which the government took possession of the land. He subsequently moved a contempt petition, alleging non-compliance with the court’s directions. The High Court had earlier directed the collector to conduct a fresh inquiry, take a decision and appear before it to explain the procedure followed while taking possession.
The court had granted the collector exemption from personal appearance twice in the past. On October 27, it directed the district collector and the concerned revenue divisional officer to explain the factual and legal position of the proceedings, as well as the procedure followed in taking possession of the property.
The collector again sought exemption from appearing personally, citing election-related duties, the special intensive revision of electoral rolls and other administrative assignments. The court rejected that request, saying the explanation regarding official duties was not sufficient to dispense with personal appearance when the court had specifically ordered it.
Justice Bhaskar Reddy also noted that the collector had previously received exemption on two occasions. The judge said the collector had once again sought dispensation despite a specific direction requiring his presence along with the revenue divisional officer associated with the Land Reforms Tribunal.
The court recorded that it was not inclined to accept the reasons given for the latest request and directed the Malkajgiri police commissioner to ensure the collector’s appearance. The court is scheduled to hear the matter next on November 25.
