Telangana High Court Directs State to Respond in Kancha Gachibowli Land Case

In a significant development on Thursday, the Telangana High Court directed the state government to file its counter in the ongoing public interest litigation (PIL) cases related to the razing of 400 acres of land at Kancha Gachibowli in Serilingampally Mandal.

The court has also instructed the state to respond to concerns regarding the detention and police harassment of protesting students.

High Court Continues Hearings on Land Razing at Kancha Gachibowli

The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara, continued its hearing on the PILs concerning the controversial land development project at Kancha Gachibowli. The project, which involves clearing 400 acres of land, has sparked widespread protests due to concerns over environmental damage and the displacement of residents.

The court noted that the Supreme Court of India had previously stayed the felling of trees in the area, preventing further environmental damage. In a significant move, the Telangana High Court directed the Registrar (Judicial) to inspect the site and submit a detailed report by 3:30 PM on the same day.

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State Government Defends the Project

During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the State Government, defended the action, arguing that the project could generate an investment of ₹50 lakh crore for Telangana and provide employment to approximately five lakh people. Singhvi emphasized the potential economic benefits of the project, asserting that it would contribute to the state’s development.

However, Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul directed the state to place these contentions in a formal response affidavit. The court made it clear that the arguments regarding the land and its history would be examined in due course.

Continued Felling of Trees Despite Supreme Court Order

While the petitioners did not seek interim orders in the case, as the Supreme Court had already stayed the felling of trees, they informed the court that the trees were still being felled up until Thursday morning. This action was cited as a clear violation of the court’s order, and the petitioners raised serious concerns about the continued environmental degradation.

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Police Harassment and Detention of Students

Another major issue raised by the petitioners involved the alleged detention and harassment of students from Hyderabad Central University (HCU) and other protesters by the police. The petitioners accused law enforcement of using high-handed tactics to suppress peaceful protests against the land development project.

In response, the court directed Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy to submit a written response on these allegations of police misconduct. The issue of student detention and police harassment has added a layer of complexity to the ongoing legal battle, with concerns over human rights violations.

Court Sets Date for Further Hearing

The Telangana High Court has posted the case for further hearing on April 7. As the matter continues to unfold, the state government has been instructed to provide a comprehensive response regarding both the land development project and the police actions against protesters.