Hyderabad, 27 July
Telangana HC Directs Chief Secy to Remove HYDRAA Chief Ranganath
The Telangana High Court on Monday, July 27, directed Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju to immediately replace HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath following repeated concerns over alleged violations of court orders in a land dispute at Lothkunta in Secunderabad. The direction came during the hearing of contempt proceedings linked to the disputed property.
The Telangana HC HYDRAA chief Ranganath case has drawn significant attention after the court expressed strong displeasure over the conduct of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and its commissioner. According to reports, the court had earlier asked Ranganath to submit an unconditional written apology through an affidavit by Monday.
However, during Monday’s hearing, counsel representing HYDRAA informed the court that a petition would be filed instead of the requested affidavit. The court objected to the response, noting that sufficient time had been granted to comply with its earlier direction. Telangana HC Directs Chief Secy to Remove HYDRAA Chief Ranganath.
Land Dispute in Lothkunta
The Telangana HC HYDRAA chief Ranganath matter stems from a land dispute involving property in Lothkunta. The court has been examining allegations that HYDRAA officials interfered with the disputed land despite judicial directions. The proceedings have resulted in increasingly strong observations from the bench regarding compliance with court orders.
Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti criticised the manner in which Ranganath and other departments had handled the issue. The judge reportedly remarked that the HYDRAA chief had become a “law unto himself” and questioned why other government departments were approaching HYDRAA instead of taking action through their own established mechanisms.
The court also directed Ranganath to appear personally and submit an unconditional apology. However, he did not appear before the court on Monday. The Telangana HC HYDRAA chief Ranganath proceedings consequently took a more serious turn, with the court treating his failure to comply as wilful disobedience.
High Court Directs Chief Secretary to Replace Ranganath
The High Court then directed Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju to relieve Ranganath from the HYDRAA commissioner’s position and appoint a suitable replacement. Reports said the direction followed the failure to file the apology affidavit within the deadline fixed by the court. Telangana HC Directs Chief Secy to Remove HYDRAA Chief Ranganath.
The Telangana HC HYDRAA chief Ranganath dispute has escalated over the past several days. Four days before Monday’s hearing, the court had taken an extraordinary step in the same dispute and directed the Indian Army to protect the disputed property after expressing a loss of confidence in the state government’s ability to enforce its orders.
At that stage, the court had also considered action against Ranganath for alleged repeated violations of judicial directions. The arrest-related direction was later recalled after the Advocate General intervened, while Ranganath was asked to appear personally before the court.
Court’s Strong Remarks Against HYDRAA
The latest Telangana HC HYDRAA chief Ranganath order adds another significant development to the continuing dispute between the court and the state agency. The High Court’s repeated observations indicate that compliance with judicial orders remains at the centre of the proceedings.
The court’s direction to replace the commissioner does not by itself determine the final outcome of the underlying land dispute. The contempt proceedings and related issues will continue to be examined by the High Court, while the state government will have to act on the latest direction. Telangana HC Directs Chief Secy to Remove HYDRAA Chief Ranganath.
The Telangana HC HYDRAA chief Ranganath issue has also raised questions about accountability within government agencies. The Telangana HC HYDRAA chief Ranganath proceedings will be closely watched for further directions from the court ahead.