Sunnam Cheruvu Demolition Case

Hyderabad, July 19: The Telangana High Court has issued contempt of court notices to Rangareddy District Collector C Narayana Reddy, HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, and GHMC Serilingampalli Deputy Commissioner Prashanthi for allegedly violating judicial orders in connection with a house demolition near Sunnam Cheruvu in Guttalabegumpeta.

The contempt petition, filed by Vadde Tara, contends that her house was demolished on June 30 despite the High Court’s earlier directions prohibiting any coercive action until a survey was completed to determine the Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zone of Sunnam Cheruvu.

The Court had, on March 3, explicitly instructed the district authorities to conduct a detailed survey, demarcate the FTL and buffer zones, and act strictly in accordance with the law. However, Tara alleges that HYDRAA officials, along with local police, carried out the demolition without completing the survey or providing any advance notice, thereby violating court orders.

Taking serious note of the alleged non-compliance, the division bench ordered all three officials to submit detailed counter-affidavits explaining their actions. The case has been adjourned to August 22 for further hearing.

This is not the first time HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency) has come under judicial scrutiny. The agency has been previously criticized by the High Court for carrying out demolitions without proper surveys or notices, particularly in sensitive lake buffer zones around Hyderabad.

The High Court has consistently emphasized that any action against illegal constructions near water bodies must follow due process, ensuring environmental protection while also safeguarding individual rights.

The outcome of this case could have wider implications for future demolition drives conducted by civic bodies and lake protection authorities in Telangana.

Also Read: Vikarabad Salon Attack

This article is published by Crime Today News ©