Hookah parlours get no relief

Hyderabad: Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court on Thursday denied interfering with the actions of the Banjara Hills Police Station in restricting operations of hookah parlours. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Lavish Elysium Dine High, which sought that an order by the Banjara Hills police banning hookah parlours be revoked. The judge was also hearing a batch of writ pleas seeking non-interference of police in running hookah parlours. The contention in the batch of matters was that elevated glasses would be constructed to ensure that hookah is smoked in a closed space and such space would not be considered public space. The judge joked, stating that there would come a day when the stretch between Road No. 12, Banjara Hills and Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills, will consist of glass elevations and people smoking hookah. The judge refused to grant interim relief to the petitioner at this stage and refused to interfere with the police action.

Men cannot get relief under Section 498A for harassment: HC

Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court on Thursday affirmed that men cannot seek relief under Section 498A for physical and mental harassment in a domestic dispute. The judge was dealing with a writ petition filed by one M. Shareef, who sought registration of an FIR filed against M. Fatima and five others. The petitioner contended that the accused behaved in a way that would attract offences under Section 498A of the IPC. Observing that relief under Section 498A can only be sought by women, the judge opined that the said complaint would not withstand. The government pleader sought time for instructions and the judge adjourned the matter for a later date.

Land encroachment plea dismissed

A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal filed by Lalitha Bloomfield Homeowners Association. The appellants and respondents are the owners of adjacent lands. The appellants alleged that the respondents encroached on government land. Given the same, a representation was addressed to GHMC in respect of the shortfall. However, a single judge dismissed the writ petition directing the GHMC to grant the building permission and consequential occupancy certificate, in compliance with the shortfalls. The bench comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji said that the appellants had no jurisdiction and were not the necessary parties. The bench said a representation to GHMC in respect of any encroachment of government land would not suffice as the same must be addressed to the government directly.

Bail granted to officials in bribery case

Justice C. Sumalatha of the Telangana High Court granted bail to N. Teja and G. Vijaya Laxmi, government employees, in a bribery case. Complainant Durgam Shekar approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau alleging that a Group I officer, along with the present petitioners, demanded a bribe of  Rs 3 lakh from him. The counsel for the petitioners argued that they worked in different offices and had no connection with the crime. He said that to attract offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, there must be demand and acceptance, which was absent in the present case. Earlier, the public prosecutor argued that the statements of the complainant were yet to be recorded under Section 164 and hence, petitioners cannot be released on bail.