Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has granted interim relief to HYDRAA Commissioner A V Ranganath in a land dispute at Lothu Kunta in Rangareddy district.
A division bench headed by Justice Sam Koshi suspended the operation of a single judge’s order in the contempt matter. However, the bench advised Ranganath to stay away from the disputed land until the case is resolved.
The case concerns land in Survey Nos. 1 and 2, where questions over identification, boundaries and ownership remain pending before the court.
The bench observed that authorities should exercise restraint when land ownership and boundaries are disputed. It also suggested that revenue authorities conduct a joint survey and proper demarcation before any further action.
High Court Questions Contempt and Removal Order
The court made it clear that it was not deciding the title or survey-number dispute at this stage. It also noted that the issue is already sub judice and that findings on land identification could affect other pending proceedings.
During the hearing, HYDRAA’s counsel argued that Ranganath had acted based on official requisitions, government records and geo-coordinates. These records allegedly indicated that government land identified as GLR 243 was involved.
The counsel argued that any mistake, at most, was a factual error and did not amount to wilful disobedience, which is required for a contempt finding.
The defence also challenged the single judge’s reference to 62 contempt cases against Ranganath. Counsel submitted that none of those cases had resulted in a finding of guilt and that the allegations had not been properly placed before Ranganath for his response.
Counsel further challenged the single judge’s direction to remove Ranganath from office. The argument was that a contempt court cannot impose a new form of punishment beyond those recognised under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, citing Supreme Court precedent.
The division bench said the alleged conduct of the official and the punishment imposed were separate issues that required independent consideration.
It also stressed the need to protect both the petitioner’s property rights and public property if the disputed land is ultimately found to belong to the government.
The High Court has posted the matter for further hearing on November 3.
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