High Court vs HYDRAA : What’s Is Happening ?

Revanth Reddy’s brainchild HYDRAA, which is tasked with removing encroachments within Hyderabad city, has been inviting considerable public backlash because of its widespread demolition drives without giving any prior notices to the occupants. Hearing several petitions filed by its victims, the High Court has already pulled up its commissioner AV Ranganath many times and cautioned against its high-handedness. 

But, as the agency continues to raze structures what it feels as illegal constructions despite clear directives, the High Court has once again intervened on Monday while hearing a lunch motion petition filed by a resident of Ameenpur. The Court made scathing remarks in response to the petitions filed over the ongoing fencing of land parcels under the guise of removing encroachments.

The Court further questioned the intent of the agency in acting against its orders and also lashed out at the commissioner for not showing the same urgency in saving the water bodies and lakes and instead acting on disputed lands without any SOPs. 

The Court came down heavily on the agency for acting beyond its powers and taking control of properties being sub-judice without the permission of Revenue department or the MAUD department. 

It further directed HYDRAA to submit if any permission or communication empowering such actions are given by anyone and also made it clear that unilateral intervention in disputed properties, especially those sub judice, cannot be allowed to continue any further without its notice. 

The High Court has now passed interim orders refraining HYDRAA from carrying out immediate demolitions in the city and municipal areas, except in cases relating to removal of encroachments on river bodies, nalas and public roads. 

Justice B Vijay Sen Reddy clarified that, until proper procedural guidelines are placed on record, HYDRAA must not demolition internal roads, compound walls, or private structures. He insisted that an SOP or statutory guidelines need to be framed under the municipal laws for HYDRAA to involve in public roads and compund walls. 

The court, however, permitted the agency to continue restoration activities related to lakes and water bodies. So, HYDRAA has not been completely restrained but it is permitted to act with caution following the due procedure. 

Meanwhile, a fake order directing both CM Revanth Reddy and HYDRAA commisioner AV Ranganath to attend the Court in person has been making rounds on social media platforms. HYDRAA has immediately filed a cyber complaint on this matter and further investigation is currently on to find out the origin of the fraudulent document.