HC refuses to intervene in T-war

Dec. 8: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday refused to intervene in the issue of forming a separate Telangana state.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice C.V. Nagarjuna Reddy, while dealing with a petition filed by Mr P.V. Krishnaiah, a practising advocate of the High Court, observed that “formation of a state is the combined action of the legislative and the executive.”

The petitioner sought directions from the court to the Centre to positively consider the demand of separate Telangana and also to protect the fundamental rights of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti chief, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, by providing him food and medicines. He also urged the court to tell Mr Chandrasekhar Rao to withdraw his fast.

While considering whether the petition should be taken up for hearing or not, the court said, “No state can be formed on a writ and only the government of India and the President has the power to either reorganise or form a state.”

Referring to the request on giving a direction to provide food to Mr Chandrasekhar Rao, the bench said, “He (Mr Chandrasekhar Rao) is a wise and mature man. He knows what he is doing.”

The bench further said urged the petitioner to approach MPs to build a majority opinion among them “instead of knocking at the wrong door (the court).” The court directed the registry to number the petition and list the matter for further hearing.

Earlier, the court heard a petition filed by Mr Mohammed Adam, a practising advocate, complaining about the failure of law and order in the state.

The advocate general, Mr D.V. Seetharam Murthy, explained the steps taken to maintain law and order in the state. The court adjourned the matter to December 15 for further hearing.