Alteration of Med. Degree Challenged in HC

Hyderabad: Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the insistence of the State Medical Council that doctors holding an MD (Physician) degree furnish undertakings declaring it as equivalent to MBBS. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Dr Chetan Chouhan and Dr Thadakamalla Hari Krishna alleging that the council was attempting to alter the title of their medical degrees while processing renewal of their registration certificates. They contended that such action was contrary to the National Medical Commission Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations. The petitioners sought a direction to the council to renew their registration certificates without imposing conditions or modifying their qualifications. The respondents sought time to file their response.

Illegal channels put on notice

Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court directed the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, YouTube, and Facebook to shut down certain unlicensed social media channels accused of spreading false and defamatory content in Hyderabad. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by M.A. Qavi Abbas alleged that channels operating under the names 'Asif Bebak Sach News', 'Secular Miya Bhai Media Channel', and 'News One' were functioning without licences. The petitioner contended that these platforms were indulging in fake and hateful propaganda, morphing images, maligning members of the business community, and encouraging violence and gun sales.

He argued that despite filing representations before the police commissioner and other authorities, no action was taken. The assistant government pleader submitted that the complaint made to the Hussaini Alam station house officer involved allegations of defamation, and the complainant was advised to approach the court. The judge observed that the matter involved serious misuse of social media platforms and accordingly passed an interim direction to the respondents to block the channels. The judge ordered notice to the CEOs of YouTube and Facebook, as well as their India offices, seeking their response.

Choice of HMs on WhatsApp at night questioned

Justice Pulla Karthik of the Telangana High Court admitted a writ plea questioning late-night WhatsApp options for promotions of headmasters. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by P.V. Laxmi Narayana Murthy and 10 gazetted headmasters and headmistresses. The petitioners questioned government memos issued in June and July 2025. The petitioners contended that the memos and the subsequent action of the director of school education in seeking options through WhatsApp messages at 9 pm on August 20, without publishing a proper schedule, was arbitrary and discriminatory. It was argued that promotions to the cadre of Headmaster Grade II could not be

affected in such a clandestine manner, and that the process encouraged irregularities, corruption, and undermined the morale of senior headmasters.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that the government's action was contrary to the State and Subordinate Service Rules, and contrary to law laid down under the Constitution. The petitioners sought cancellation of the impugned memos, a declaration that the promotions were illegal, and a direction to conduct transfers first and then effect promotions against available vacancies, while also calling for an enquiry into the conduct of the officials responsible.