HC sets aside state’s 2008 takeover of AAI land in Kancha Gachibowli
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court has annulled the Serilingampally mandal Tahsildar’s February 26, 2008 proceedings that sought to take over nine acres in survey number 26 of Kancha Gachibowli, holding that the land assigned to the Airports Authority of India could not have been acquired by state officials without clearance from the Union government.
Justice N V Shravan Kumar delivered the order while allowing a petition filed by AAI in 2008 challenging the Tahsildar’s action.
State had no authority to resume AAI land
The court said state officials had no power to acquire or resume land under the control of AAI, which is a central government entity. It observed that the takeover was carried out without notifying the Union government and without establishing any violation of allotment conditions.
According to case records, the state had allotted nine acres to the Civil Aviation Department in 1966–67 for establishing a Radio Navigational Aid Centre to support air traffic operations. Over the years, the original sale deed went missing. Between 1988 and 1991, the ministry repeatedly sought a copy, but the Tahsildar did not respond.
When the issue reached the state government, the Revenue Department secretary wrote to AAI in 1991 asking why the vacant land could not be resumed.
2007 survey, AAI’s housing plan
A survey conducted in 2007 confirmed that the land was still under the control of the Aviation Department. After the opening of Shamshabad airport, AAI proposed building 350 residential quarters for its staff on the site at a projected cost of ₹51 crore.
However, in 2008, state authorities suddenly took possession of the land, prompting AAI to move the High Court.
‘Improper conduct’, violation of natural justice: Court
The judge noted that all revenue records were with state authorities, yet they failed to produce any documents on the terms of allotment or show any breach by AAI. The court also pointed out that denying AAI’s request for time to furnish complete documentation violated principles of natural justice.
Holding the Tahsildar’s action invalid, the court ruled that the takeover was unlawful and could not stand.
