Telangana HC Directs Forest Department Not To Intervene in Vikarabad Masjid Issue
Court directs due process before any action against Sunni Masjid Osmania institution
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has directed forest officials to not interfere with the peaceful possession, administration, management and enjoyment of the Sunni Masjid Osmania and Deeni Madarsa at Ananthagiri Hills in Vikarabad district without following due process of law. Justice Surepalli Nanda passed the order while disposing of a writ petition filed by Mohammed Faiyaz Ali, mutawalli of the religious institution.
The petitioner told the court that the Sunni Masjid Osmania and Deeni Madarsa had been functioning for several years, conducting daily prayers, imparting religious education and undertaking religious and charitable activities. According to the petition, the institution was administered under the Waqf Act, 1995 and its property extended to approximately 14,000 square yards.
The petitioner alleged that forest department officials had been interfering with the day-to-day functioning of the institution, including its educational and recreational activities.
The Forest Department disputed the allegations through written instructions submitted by the Forest Range Officer, Vikarabad, in Rc. No.74/VKB/2026 dated July 30, 2026. The department stated that it had never interfered with the institution's lawful possession or religious activities and had not attempted to dispossess the petitioner except in accordance with law.
The department maintained that it was statutorily obligated to protect the reserved forest from encroachments, unauthorised activities, dumping of debris, disposal of waste and other activities that could harm the forest ecosystem.