Telangana HC issues contempt notices to MAUD, GHMC officials over Tarnaka temple arch
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court has issued contempt notices to four senior state officials for allegedly failing to comply with its earlier order directing the removal of an unauthorised temple arch erected on a public road in Tarnaka, Secunderabad.
Justice NV Shravan Kumar of the High Court took up a contempt petition filed by advocate Dachepally Chandra Babu, who sought action under Sections 10 to 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, against the officials for alleged wilful disobedience of the court’s directions.
The case stems from an order passed on April 7, directing the authorities concerned to take action within four weeks against the unauthorised structure. The court had also directed the authorities to recover demolition-related expenses and initiate prosecution in accordance with law.
Demolition order remained unimplemented
According to the petition, the Deputy Commissioner of Tarnaka Circle-43 had, through proceedings dated April 22, 2026, confirmed that the structure was illegal and issued a demolition order on April 23. However, the arch remained in place as of June 5.
The petitioner submitted that copies of the High Court order were served on the respondents through official email on April 11. Formal contempt notices were also issued on May 14.
Despite these communications, no effective steps were taken to remove the structure, recover expenses or initiate prosecution as directed by the court, the petition alleged.
Four senior officials named
The respondents in the contempt petition are:
- Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Department
- Dr TK Sreedevi, IAS, Principal Secretary, MAUD Department
- RV Karnan, IAS, Commissioner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC)
- P Sudheer Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Tarnaka Circle-43, West Marredpally, Secunderabad
The petitioner urged the court to impose a cost of ₹50,000 on each respondent to uphold the authority of the judiciary. He requested that the amount be deposited with the High Court Legal Services Authority or any other body the court deems appropriate.
The High Court has posted the matter for further hearing on July 3.
