Telangana HC Directs Army to Guard Disputed Property, Says It Has Lost Faith in State

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday made strong observations against the functioning of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and the State government, directing the Indian Army to deploy personnel to safeguard a disputed private property in Lothkunta, Secunderabad. Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti, while hearing a contempt petition filed by Shanta Sriram Constructions, said the court had lost faith in the State government and its departments, prompting the extraordinary direction. The petitioner alleged that HYDRAA officials had repeatedly interfered with the disputed property despite court orders. Acknowledging that the Army is ordinarily not involved in civil property disputes, the judge remarked that the direction was being issued due to the court's lack of confidence in the State machinery. The High Court directed its Registrar General to coordinate with the senior-most Army official in Hyderabad to arrange deployment of personnel at the site. The court further ordered that the Army should take appropriate action if any HYDRAA, police, or other government officials entered the disputed premises without authorisation. Rejecting the State government's submissions, the court also refused to accept the Additional Advocate General's claim that HYDRAA officials had not entered the property. The judge referred to photographs submitted by the petitioner, which allegedly showed HYDRAA vehicles inside the disputed land. The matter came up in a contempt petition accusing HYDRAA of violating earlier court directions by interfering with the property. The case is under further consideration by the High Court.

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