HYDERABAD: On Wednesday, Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court issued a temporary halt on any actions against several educational institutions run by BRS MLA Marri Rajasekhar Reddy. This decision came in response to a notice from the revenue authorities of the Medchal-Malkajgiri district, which had demanded that MLRIT College address encroachment issues or face demolition.
The court was reviewing two writ petitions, dated August 22, 2024, which challenged notices from the Gandimaisamma-Dundigal tahsildar. These notices had been issued to various institutions, including Maruti Educational Institutions, Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Marri Educational Society, and MLRIT, ordering them to remove alleged encroachments within the full tank level (FTL) and buffer zone of Chinna Damera Cheruvu in Dundigal village within seven days.
The revenue authorities' notice highlighted that the institutions were built within the FTL and buffer zone of Chinna Damera Cheruvu, covering 8.24 acres. The encroachments reportedly included buildings (one acre), permanent sheds (two acres), vehicle parking (three acres), and roads (2.24 acres), totaling 8.24 acres.
The tahsildar’s notice claimed encroachments on approximately 8.5 acres of the lake area. Institutions, which cover 17.5 acres across various survey numbers, requested the High Court to prevent the Hyderabad Revenue Authority (HYDRAA) from demolishing their structures.
While the court was deliberating, revenue officials instructed the management to make alternative arrangements for their institutions. Previously, officials had inspected the college premises and demolished some structures built in the FTL/buffer zone.
The notice mandated the removal of structures in the Chinna Damera Cheruvu, warning that further actions would be taken under the Telangana Land and Trees Act, 2002, and relevant sections of the TS (TA) Irrigation Act, 1357 Fasli.
In court, senior counsel S Niranjan Reddy, representing the petitioners, argued that the tahsildar had improperly demarcated the FTL without following the due process of the Survey and Boundaries Act. He contended that proper coordination with survey authorities and documentation, including 2007 construction permits from the Gram Panchayat, were necessary to validate the legality of the buildings.
Justice Lakshman set aside the tahsildar’s notice, treating it as a show cause notice. He granted the petitioners seven days to submit all required documents, after which the tahsildar must review these documents, conduct a hearing, and issue lawful orders. The judge also directed that no further action be taken against the institutions for one week.