Telangana High Court Orders Removal of HYDRAA Commissioner Over Land Dispute
The Telangana High Court ordered the removal of HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath for contempt after his agency demolished structures on a disputed 40-acre private land in Lothkunta, despite court orders. The court initially deployed army forces to protect the site but later stayed that order. The ruling sparked political backlash, with the BJP criticizing the state government. Ranganath claims the land is government property and vows legal recourse.
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Telangana government may approach Supreme Court to reclaim land at Ammuguda
The Telangana state government is considering filing a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court to challenge a High Court ruling that favoured a builder over the ownership of disputed land in the Ammuguda hillocks near Hyderabad. The land dispute has embroiled the Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) in legal trouble. HYDRAA recently stopped the builder from proceeding with construction, prompting the builder to file a contempt petition. The High Court made stern remarks against HYDRAA chief A.V. Ranganath, who is a respondent in 63 contempt cases, and recommended his removal. However, officials say the recommendation may not be binding. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has publicly backed Ranganath, asserting that postings are the government's prerogative. The government is evaluating its legal options regarding the court's recommendations.
BRS Demands High Court Judge-Led Probe into HYDRAA Actions
The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Telangana has demanded a probe into the alleged excesses and discriminatory actions of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) by a sitting High Court judge. BRS whip K.P. Vivekanand stated that the High Court's verdict ordering the removal of HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath vindicated the party's fight for the poor and middle-class, who were selectively targeted. He accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of lacking moral authority to continue in office after the court's direction. BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan noted the rarity of such a court order against an officer. He questioned why HYDRAA demolished homes of the poor but did not act against buildings owned by MIM leadership or a private construction company building apartments on the Musi riverbed, alleging bias.
Telangana Government Likely to Challenge High Court Order on HYDRAA Commissioner
The Telangana government is expected to approach a Division Bench of the Telangana High Court to challenge a single-judge order directing the removal of HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath. The order, issued by Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti, stems from contempt cases related to a disputed 40-acre land parcel in Lothkunta, where HYDRAA officials allegedly violated court orders during an anti-encroachment operation. Government sources indicate that further action will only be taken after Chief Minister Revanth Reddy returns from New Delhi on Wednesday. The government is not in a hurry to implement the directive and intends to argue for a stay, citing HYDRAA's role in protecting Hyderabad's lakes and public lands from encroachments. The order has drawn political reactions, with the BJP demanding the scrapping of HYDRAA and the BRS claiming vindication, while the Congress defends the agency.
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Telangana High Court Orders Removal of HYDRAA Chief Over Land Dispute
The Telangana High Court has directed the removal of A.V. Ranganath as Commissioner of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) due to a contempt case. The case stems from HYDRAA's actions on a disputed 40-acre land parcel in Lothkunta village, Medchal Malkajgiri district. Despite a prior undertaking to the court not to interfere with the petitioner's property, HYDRAA cleared and fenced the land after a complaint from the Society to Save Rocks about hillock destruction. Ranganath claims the agency acted on government land, not the petitioner's property, and that the petitioner's survey numbers do not exist in the village. The petitioner, a builder who won a previous legal battle over the land, presented a railway acquisition order that Ranganath alleges is fabricated. The controversy highlights conflicting land records and jurisdictional claims, with Ranganath vowing to pursue legal recourse.
BJP Welcomes Telangana High Court Order Removing HYDRAA Commissioner
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Telangana has welcomed a Telangana High Court order directing the immediate removal of A.V. Ranganath as Commissioner of the Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA). State BJP president N. Ramchander Rao described the verdict as a 'strong slap' to the Congress-led state government under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Rao alleged that the administration had violated democratic principles and that HYDRAA had become a platform for high-handed actions under the guise of removing illegal constructions, creating fear among the public and farmers. He demanded the complete dismantling of the HYDRAA system, accusing the government of misusing the mechanism and targeting the poor and small farmers despite claims of protecting them.
Telangana High Court Orders Removal of HYDRAA Commissioner Over Land Dispute
The Telangana High Court on July 27, 2026, directed the state Chief Secretary to relieve IPS officer A.V. Ranganath from his post as Commissioner of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and appoint a replacement. The order came from Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti during contempt proceedings related to a disputed 40-acre land parcel in Lothkunta. The land is claimed by M/s Shanta Sriram Constructions Private Limited, which alleged that HYDRAA officials, with 50 vehicles and 200 personnel, demolished structures on the property in July, asserting government ownership. The court had earlier ordered armed forces to protect the site but later kept that order in abeyance after the government pledged to file an affidavit. Ranganath was also directed to submit an apology and explanation for alleged interference. The ruling raises broader concerns about institutional safeguards and adherence to judicial orders by HYDRAA.
Telangana High Court Slams HYDRAA Commissioner, Orders Apology in Contempt Case
On July 24, 2026, the Telangana High Court, presided by Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti, strongly criticized Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) Commissioner A.V. Ranganath for repeatedly flouting court orders. The court directed the IPS officer to file an affidavit apologizing for interfering with a private company's property in Lothkunta village, Ranga Reddy district, despite a Supreme Court decision and a June 10 High Court order. The judge noted three contempt petitions had been filed against the commissioner in the same matter, calling him 'a law unto himself.' The court had previously ordered army forces to protect the site but kept that order in abeyance after the Advocate General assured an affidavit would be filed. The judge emphasized that HYDRAA officials' demolition of the petitioner's property constituted willful disobedience of court orders.
Telangana High Court Puts Order for Armed Forces to Protect Private Land on Hold
The Telangana High Court initially ordered the deployment of armed forces, including 10 Army personnel led by a Lieutenant Colonel, to protect 40 acres of private land belonging to M/s Shanta Sriram Constructions in Lothukunta village. The order came after the company filed a contempt petition alleging that HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency) officials trespassed onto the property on July 18, damaging furniture and structures. Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti expressed loss of faith in state administration, citing HYDRAA's failure to comply with earlier court orders. However, after Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy assured the court that an affidavit would be filed stating HYDRAA officials had not entered the property, the judge kept the deployment order in abeyance until Friday. The court had also summoned HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath for non-compliance.