Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday ordered the state chief secretary to remove IPS officer AV Ranganath as the HYDRAA commissioner for repeatedly violating court orders, and not apologising to the court despite being asked to do so.
The court was hearing a case of a 40-acre disputed property claimed by Shanta Sriram Constructions in Secunderabad’s Lothkunta area.
In his response, Ranganath said land mafias and “encroachers are misleading” the courts with false information. “Regardless of the responsibilities entrusted to me by the government—whether in the past, present, or future—I am committed to delivering 100% results, and I will continue to do so.”
In its hearing in the matter last week, the court had directed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency Commissioner to issue an affidavit by Monday, explicitly apologising for HYDRAA men and machinery entering and fencing the disputed property without the petitioner’s permission.
The court had severely reprimanded the HYDRAA boss, warning that it could direct the Army to take him into custody and place him in the army barracks for repeatedly violating court orders.
The officer did not submit an apology by Monday and was not present in the court at the hearing during the day. Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti took serious objection to the submission that Ranganath would file a petition instead of an affidavit bearing a written apology. The judge also commented on the officer repeatedly flouting court orders.
Justice Kumar then directed Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju to replace him.
Advocate General Sudarshan Reddy and the Additional Advocate General Mohd Imran Khan, who appeared for Ranganath last week, had pleaded that they would submit a petition.
Justice Jukanti said the HYDRAA chief had “become a law unto himself”, and reprimanded other government departments for approaching him instead of taking action themselves on properties where complaints were made. With as many as 63 court cases pending against HYDRAA where Ranganath has been directly named, the court termed the rising number of cases within just 1.5 years a grave concern.
Last week, in an unprecedented order, the High Court had ordered the Indian Army to guard the 40-acre disputed property claimed by the private developer.
The HYDRAA, a statutory body in Hyderabad responsible for the protection of public property and disaster management in the city, has been accused by the company of illegally entering the property and causing destruction to its property.
HYDRAA’s legal cell or the state government did not respond to ThePrint’s query on the court’s orders. The report will be updated if and when they respond.
What Ranganath says
Later in the day, Ranganath released a statement in response to the court’s observations, saying his actions were in accordance with the spirit of the Indian Constitution.
“Over the past two years, HYDRAA has reclaimed hundreds of lakes and parks, as well as thousands of acres of government land encroached upon by powerful figures, and handed them back to the government. HYDRAA derives its courage from the fact that we work with honesty, fearlessness, and commitment to the truth. Land mafias and encroachers are misleading the courts with false information,” he said in a written response.
Regarding the Lothukunta land issue, he said that Shanta Sriram attempted to usurp land worth nearly Rs 10,000 crore. He alleged that the private firm indiscriminately destroyed hundreds of trees and blasted heritage rock formations without any permissions.
Stating that the HYDRAA stepped in following complaints lodged by the ‘Save the Rocks Society,’ environmentalists, and residents, he claimed the company misrepresented the land’s location—claiming a site three kilometres away from the actual location. “This builder encroached upon 120 acres of government land and subsequently filed a contempt case against me,” he added.
Ranganath stated that he would legally contest the 63 contempt-of-court cases filed against him and expressed complete faith in the judiciary.
This is an updated version of the report
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)