Hyderabad: Justice S. Nanda of the Telangana High Court stayed the LLM admission process for several courses at Osmania University’s University College of Law and PG College of Law pending disposal of a writ petition. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Y. Soma Srinath Reddy challenging the action of the Lawcet convener, who had failed to allot a seat to the petitioner in accordance with the web options selected during the counseling stage. Earlier, Justice Nanda had directed the authorities to reserve a seat at the PG College in Basheerbagh. But, in the second phase of counselling, the convener allotted all the seats in the PG College for the constitutional law course without regard to the interim directions given by the court. Counsel for the petitioner E. Venkata Siddhartha referring to the counter affidavit filed by the university pointed out that the statement “there is no seat available in the constitutional law under general category for unreserved quota. Therefore, it is not possible to keep one seat vacant” was in clear violation of court orders. The judge after perusing the records faulted the respondent authorities and accordingly stayed the admission process for the courses of constitutional law, criminology, and criminal justice system in the University College of Law and constitutional law and crime and torts in the PG College of Law, pending the disposal of the writ petition. The judge also directed the university to explain the averments made in the counter affidavit.
HC green signals pet carnival
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court permitted the Telangana Canine Association to conduct a pet carnival at Peoples Plaza, Necklace Road, scheduled for December 23 and 24. The judge passed the interim order in a writ plea filed by Vishal Sudam, secretary of the association. The petitioner stated that the motto of the association was to protect different breeds of dogs and to create awareness about pet dog keeping, maintaining, housing and feeding and disease control. In addition to that, the association was planning to exhibit some exotic birds and other live species, to give basic knowledge and awareness about the vital role of these kinds of live species, which are the backbone for protecting nature and other climatic changes in this world. The petitioner contended that the association sought permission from the forest department on December 13 and the authorities did not permit to keep any canine species listed under Schedule I, II, and IV of the Wildlife Protect Act 1972 and refused to give permission for conducting the carnival. The petitioner argued that dogs that will be kept in the carnival were all domesticated breeds, which are kept by all citizens in India and permitted under Article 51A(g) of the Indian Constitution and Animal Welfare Board of India. He said that the exotic species that are non-native to India are permitted under the Wildlife Protection Amendment Act 2022. Referring to judgments of different High Courts, the petitioner argued that such refusal of permission to conduct the pet carnival was unlawful. The petitioner also stated that the list of species which are to be kept in the carnival has been duly submitted to the principal chief conservator of forests and all the species are permitted by the government and they all are registered under Parivesh portal. They have valid registration documents. The judge, after perusing the records, granted the interim order by taking note of the undertaking that no canine species listed under Schedule I, II, and IV will be kept and directions issued by the principal secretary of forest and environment would be strictly complied.
HC demands CCTV footage from Narsingi PS
Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy of the Telangana High Court sought CCTV footage of the Narsingi police station in an alleged illegal lock-up. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Kanteti Aruna. It was the case of the petitioner that she was working as a domestic help where it was alleged that she had committed a theft of her employer's valuable items. She contended that on that date, a friend of her employer had stayed at home. However, the petitioner was being illegally harassed by the Narsingi station house officer. He called her to the police station and locked her up for hours, in addition to using physical force on her and without furnishing a copy of the FIR. Counsel for the petitioner, Baglekar Akash Kumar, argued that if CCTV footage was produced before the court, facts would come to light. The judge after perusing the records directed CCTV footage of the Narsingi police station from November 19 to 22 and directed him against interfering in the personal life and liberty of the petitioner without following due process of law. The matter is posted to January 31 for further adjudication.
Revocation of construction permission, notice mandatory: HC
Justice T. Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court ruled that any revocation of permission for construction after a lapse of the prescribed period can only be after a notice is given to the beneficiary. The judge was hearing a writ petition filed by B. Sudhakar Reddy questioning the action of GHMC in revoking permission granted for construction after the lapse of 21 days. Recognizing the vested right in the personnel in whose favour the permission is granted, the judge said a revocation can only be done following he principles of natural justice. The judge also said that the response to objections is required to be considered and objections cannot be piecemeal. The judge accordingly allowed the writ petition and set aside the revocation order.
