Telangana HC pulls up GHMC on illegal constructions in Manikonda Jagir
Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has directed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) commissioner and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to submit a detailed report on ‘illegal’ constructions on certain lands at Manikonda Jagir village of Gandipet mandal in Rangareddy district.
During a hearing on a contempt petition filed by one S Gopal, Justice CV Bhaskar Reddy asked the Commissioners to submit a comprehensive report on the constructions, containing data and visual documentation. The petitioner alleged that illegal constructions were ongoing in violation of a court order mandating the status quo.
The court asked the officials to provide details such as total number of structures, whether these structures were built with proper approval or without valid permissions, whether the builders deviated from approved plans and whether any action was taken against the violators as well as the negligent officers under the GHMC Act.
The officials have been asked to submit their report by July 2. The court also warned that in the event of non-compliance, the Commissioners would be asked to appear in person.
In a similar petition filed by Maninagar Colony Plots Members Protection Welfare Society, it has been alleged that the authorities acted as mute spectators even as illegal constructions were happening in the lands under different survey numbers in Manikonda Jagir village. The petitioner also submitted photographs and videos to show the evidence that no action was taken by the GHMC to stop these illegal constructions.
Following the writ petition, the high court intervened in the matter and passed an order on March 14, 2023 and instructed the GHMC officials to maintain status quo at the lands.
Justice Reddy expressed his displeasure at the officials for their weak enforcement of the court order. He observed that it had become normal for the authorities to turn a blind eye to the rampant illegal constructions in Hyderabad and Secunderabad and later make an attempt to regularise them. He also called for an end to this practice.
