Legal Reports | Law Department tasked with clearing two years’ arrears to Bhongir’s lawyer

HYDERABAD: Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court passed an interim order directing the legal department and other authorities to pay arrears of fees to a lawyer, who was a government advocate serving in a Bhongir court. The judge was hearing a writ petition filed by Vangeti Vijay Bhaskar Reddy. The petitioner had questioned the inaction of the respondents, particularly the chief commissioner of land administration, in not releasing fees due for over two years amounting to Rs 17.44 lakh. The petitioner alleged that the actions of the respondents were illegal, arbitrary and in violation of the Constitution. After hearing the petitioner’s counsel, the judge passed the interim order directing the respondents to pay the arrears within three weeks from the date of receipt of the order and posted the matter for further decision.

State kabaddi association elections contested

The Telangana High Court will hear a writ petition challenging alleged irregularities in the election process of the state kabaddi association. Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka took note of a writ petition filed by Basani Hemanth, a kabaddi player, seeking quashing of the October 7, 2024 election notification, citing violations of the national sports development code (NSDC) 2011, the policy February state sports. 6 of 2016, and memorandum dated October 3, 2018. The petitioner alleged that the electoral process was carried out unfairly, lacked transparency and was undemocratic, arbitrary and unconstitutional. It was held that the failure of the returning officer, represented by Dr. M. Jagan Mohan, to provide an electoral/voter list before the elections was a flagrant violation of the principles of natural justice. The petitioner emphasized that the elections should comply with the NSDC and state sports policies and involve veteran kabaddi players in the association to ensure equal representation. The petitioners requested that it be declared that the electoral call was illegal and unconstitutional. It is argued that the electoral process did not adhere to due legal process, so the notification was void. Furthermore, the petition demands that respondents be directed to conduct fresh elections in a fair and transparent manner, starting from the district level and moving to the state level. The matter is posted for further adjudication.

Sripada Yellampally project land evictees ask HC for compensation

Justice T. Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court filed a writ petition challenging the non-acquisition of submerged land due to the construction of the Sripada Yellampally project. The judge was dealing with a court petition filed by the Kukkala Guduru village welfare society. The petitioners stated that they have made several representations to the authorities, seeking acquisition proceedings under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (Act). Despite a court order filed in 2020 directing the respondents to consider the representations, the revenue divisional officer (RDO) issued a memorandum rejecting the land acquisition application without providing substantial reasons. The controversy dates back to 2006, when the project was in the construction phase. The judge questioned whether concerns about possible submersion were raised at the time. The release of water from the project in 2016 caused significant portions of the village, including agricultural land and homes, to sink, resulting in substantial displacement and loss. The petitioners argued that the rejection of their request was arbitrary, unfair, and in violation of the Constitution. The petitioners sought immediate acquisition proceedings for the submerged lands, houses and other affected properties in Kukkala Guduru village, which were partially or fully submerged due to the effects of the Godavari river backwater, Bandala vagu, Bugga vagu, Pachikunta vagu and Pashikanti vagu. The petitioners seek compensation in accordance with law and urge the district collector to initiate acquisition proceedings to ensure justice to the affected villagers. The judge, while questioning the petitioners’ eight-year delay in coming to court, ordered notice to the respondents and gave them four weeks to file their response.

Nagarjuna Fertilizers asked to comply with arbitration award

Justice Maushumi Bhattarcharya of the Telangana High Court directed Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd not to deposit or dispose of any of its assets without reserving a sum of Rs 15 crore. The sum was to satisfy an arbitration award against him. The judge was hearing an enforcement petition filed by Technimont seeking the amount of compensation based on an international arbitration award. Nagarjuna Fertilizers opposed the maintainability of the petition, contending that the Telangana High Court did not have original jurisdiction and, therefore, cannot consider an application of the international arbitration award. Arguing against, Technimont contended that Section 10J of the Commercial Court Act fixed the commercial jurisdiction of the High Court to hear all applications relating to any international arbitration. Pending the ruling, the judge held that the judgment debtor proves the availability of assets to the tune of Rs 15 million.