High Court to Verify Allotment of Maddur Land to Foundation

Hyderabad:The Telangana High Court will examine allotment of over 50 acres of land in Maddur, Rangareddy district, to the Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation for development of an international football academy and Olympic training centre, amid claims by farmers that the land was taken without compensation or lawful acquisition. Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy was hearing petitions filed by Sabavath Anjamma and others, who claimed ownership and possession over land in various survey numbers of Maddur, Shabad mandal, Rangareddy district. The petitioners contended that their names are reflected in revenue records and that pattadar passbooks issued in their favour establish title and lawful possession. According to the petitioners, around 2018, gram panchayat officials approached them stating that the land was required for a public purpose and obtained their signatures on certain documents upon assurances of compensation, either monetary or through alternative land allotment. They alleged that no compensation was paid and that authorities were attempting to forcibly dispossess them, including by entering the land with heavy machinery. Appearing for the petitioners, E. Venkata Siddhartha contended that deprivation of property without due process and compensation was impermissible. He submitted that the transfer of land to the foundation, reportedly for about Rs 1 crore per acre pursuant to a 2024 notification, could not be sustained without lawful acquisition, placing reliance on the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. Opposing the petitions, the government pleader for revenue contended that the lands was not private patta land but was originally assigned to landless poor, and that the petitioners voluntarily relinquished their rights in 2017 by executing “Rajinama” deeds under Rule 16 of the Telangana Land Revenue Rules, 1951. It was submitted that 67.39 acres were resumed by the state, mutations affected, and the land vested with the government. The state submitted that out of the resumed land, 50.17 acres were allotted to the foundation, and that the allotment was made upon payment of market value under a government order dated November 20, 2025, with possession handed over through a panchanama. Counsel for the foundation submitted that it is associated with Shri Ram Chandra Mission, popularly known as Kanha Ashram, and emphasised that the proposed project was of significant public importance aimed at developing world-class sports infrastructure, with development activities already underway. Taking note of the rival submissions, the court observed that relinquishment proceedings were undertaken in 2017 and that the petitioners executed relevant documents. The court also noted that the petitions were filed after a lapse of over eight years. Holding that the matter involved disputed questions, including the voluntariness of the Rajinama deeds, compliance with procedure and legality of the subsequent allotment, the court directed the state and the foundation to file detailed counters and adjourned the matter for hearing after the summer vacation. The court made clear that any development on the disputed land will be subject to the outcome of the case.

Cop in ACB case gets bail

The Telangana High Court granted bail to a sub-inspector of police, Mamada, Nirmal, arrested by ACB officials for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of `20,000. The judge was hearing a criminal petition filed by Teegala Ashok, seeking enlargement on bail in connection with a case registered by ACB, Adilabad range, for an offence under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. According to the prosecution, the petitioner was caught red-handed on March 27 while allegedly accepting illegal gratification for showing official favour. Opposing the plea, the prosecution contended that the gravity of the offence and possibility of interference with evidence disentitled the petitioner from bail. The court noted that the petitioner was in judicial custody since March 27 and that the statement of the complainant was recorded under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Taking these factors into account, the Court deemed it appropriate to grant bail.

Medico files plea vs health varsity

Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court ordered notice to Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences and other authorities in a writ petition filed by a medical student alleging irregularities in the evaluation of his MBBS examination papers. The judge was hearing a petition filed by Banothu Mahesh Karthik, who questioned the refusal of authorities to subject his physiology answer scripts to third valuation despite a substantial variation of about 35 marks between two examiners, contending that such action is arbitrary and contrary to the prescribed evaluation procedure, thereby prejudicing his academic prospects. Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the student secured 32 marks out of 100 and sought permission to continue attending classes pending adjudication of the dispute. Opposing the plea, counsel for the respondents submitted that the applicable regulations mandate a minimum of 50 per cent marks for qualification. Recording the rival submissions, the judge directed the respondents to file their responses.