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PoliticsTelangana High Court orders removal of HYDRAA commissioner over land dispute
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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.
Source report
Updated - July 27, 2026 04:44 pm IST — HYDERABAD
By Marri Ramu and Ravi Reddy
In a significant development with potential implications for the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), the Telangana High Court on Monday (July 27, 2026) directed the Chief Secretary to relieve IPS officer A.V. Ranganath from his post as HYDRAA Commissioner and appoint a suitable replacement.
The direction was issued by Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti while hearing a batch of contempt cases arising from allegations that HYDRAA officials violated court orders during an operation at a disputed land parcel in Lothkunta.
Background of the Dispute
At the centre of the controversy is a 40-acre property claimed by M/s Shanta Sriram Constructions Private Limited. The company alleged that HYDRAA officials entered the land in July with nearly 50 vehicles and approximately 200 personnel. According to the petitioner, the officials damaged containers, chairs, tables, and other office infrastructure while demolishing tin sheet structures on the premises, asserting that the land belonged to the government.
Sequence of Judicial Interventions
The dispute has seen a series of dramatic judicial interventions over the past week:
- July 23: The High Court ordered the deployment of armed forces to protect the 40-acre property.
- July 24: The order was kept in abeyance after Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy informed the court that the government would file an affidavit stating that HYDRAA officials had not entered the private land.
- July 24 (later): The court directed Mr. Ranganath to submit an affidavit containing an apology and an explanation regarding his alleged interference in the land dispute.
- July 27: Although the affidavit was filed, Justice Jukanti proceeded to direct the Chief Secretary to relieve the officer from the HYDRAA Commissioner post.
Broader Implications
For the State government, the challenge now extends beyond appointing a new HYDRAA Commissioner. The episode highlights the need for:
- Greater institutional safeguards
- Transparency in enforcement actions
- Strict adherence to judicial orders to prevent similar controversies in the future
Published - July 27, 2026 04:39 pm IST
Source
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Telangana High Court Orders Removal of HYDRAA Commissioner Over Land Dispute