Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has imposed a penalty of ₹50,000 on HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath for failing to submit a counter affidavit within the stipulated time in a case before the court.
The court expressed strong displeasure over the delay and observed that repeated requests for time and failure to comply with judicial directions were unacceptable, particularly from a senior public official holding a responsible position.
High Court Pulls Up HYDRAA Commissioner
During the hearing, the High Court noted that despite clear directions, the required counter affidavit was not filed on time. Taking a serious view of the lapse, the court imposed a cost of ₹50,000 on Commissioner Ranganath.
The court remarked that government officials cannot ignore judicial orders or prolong proceedings by repeatedly seeking extensions.
Penalty to Be Deposited in Relief Fund
The High Court directed Ranganath to deposit the penalty amount in the Chief Justice’s Relief Fund without delay.
The ruling has drawn attention as HYDRAA has been at the centre of several high-profile actions involving the protection of lakes, removal of encroachments and demolition of illegal constructions across Hyderabad.
Decision Sparks Discussion
The court’s order has triggered discussions in administrative and political circles, with legal experts pointing out that public officials are expected to strictly comply with court directions and timelines.
The case has also highlighted the judiciary’s growing emphasis on accountability and timely responses from government departments in matters pending before the courts.
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