Moved by Hyderabad Woman's Emotional Appeal, SC Lists 15-Year-Old Sahara Case Before Special Bench

The woman removed her mangalasutra before the bench and stated that years of prolonged litigation had devastated her family and urged the court to hear her case without delay. The plea concerned the sale of Sahara India properties.

She said her family had suffered immensely over the past 15 years due to the pending litigation. She told the court that for the last 15 years, her family life had been ruined. “Entire families have been destroyed. We are making this request together, Milord," she submitted before the bench. "We are no longer able to provide even food for our children, let alone their education, ... .Sir, for a woman, nothing is more precious than her mangalsutra. What is left around my neck now, sir?" she said.

Responding to her plea, Chief Justice Surya Kant assured her that the matter would be taken up by a specially constituted bench next Monday. The CJ advised her not to incur unnecessary travel expenses travelling from Hyderabad to Delhi and advised her instead participate in the proceedings virtually.

The woman insisted on appearing in person, saying the case was too significant for her family. She told the court that they were struggling even to provide food for their children, let alone afford their education.

Reacting to it, the CJI said that the matter will be decided only after it is heard. The date fixed for the hearing is next Monday and not for the final hearing. He suggested the women to not waste money on travelling,

Nampally Court Dismisses Bail Plea of Second Accused in Khaja Moizuddin Murder Case

The Nampally Criminal Court on Tuesday dismissed the bail petition of Mahbub Alam Khan, second accused in the May 23 murder of senior advocate and Waqf activist Khaja Moizuddin. The bail hearing of prime accused Mujahid Alam Khan, along with petitions filed by other accused, has been adjourned to July 17.

The court earlier reserved orders in the bail petition filed Mahbub Alam Khan. During arguments on Tuesday, the prosecution opposed the bail plea and argued that the accused could use influence to tamper with evidence and interfere with the ongoing investigation. The murder case is allegedly linked to disputes involving alleged land grabbing and Waqf property.
Khaja Farhan, son of the deceased advocate and de facto complainant, said that he expected the police to file a counter to the remaining bail petitions and affirmed that he would participate in the proceedings. He alleged that during the hearing on the bail petition, the counsel representing the one of the accused had threatened and verbally abused him in the presence of the judge.

HC Orders Status Quo on Security for Former DGPs Swarnajit Sen and Purnachandra Rao

The Telangana High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to examine representations submitted by former directors general of police (DGPs) Swarnajit Sen and J. Purnachandra Rao who challenged the withdrawal of their security cover, and to take a reasoned decision after granting them a personal hearing.

Swaranjit Sen, former DGP of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, submitted that he had been provided personal security officers (PSOs), an armed guard and a bomb-resistant vehicle following his retirement. The withdrawal of these security measures was arbitrary in the wake of the threat perception arising from his role in combating left-wing extremism during his tenure.

In a separate petition, former DGP Purnachandra Rao, who retired in 2021, contended that his security cover was being withdrawn without prior notice despite an existing threat perception. He sought continuation of the protection until a proper assessment was made.

After hearing both petitions, Justice T. Madhavi Devi directed that the security arrangements withdrawn from the retired officers should continue until the government decides on their representations. The court had recently issued similar interim protection in the case of former IPS officer and BRS general secretary R.S. Praveen Kumar.

Sub-Letting Without Authorization Invalid; HC Orders DGP to Probe Cherlapally SHO's Building Occupation

The Telangana High Court made it clear that the sub-letting of a property by the lessee would not be valid if the rental agreement did not contain any clause authorising it.

Taking serious note of allegations that the Cherlapally station house officer continued to occupy a privately owned building under an allegedly unauthorised sub-lease, refused to vacate the premises, and caused hardship to the property's owner, the Telangana High Court directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to examine whether the occupation by the SHO was illegal and unauthorised and to take appropriate action in accordance with law within three months.

Justice E.V. Venugopal was dealing with a writ petition filed by Tirumala Laxamnacharyulu, a purohit, who sought directions to the DGP and police authorities to consider his representation alleging unauthorised occupation of his property by the SHO, recovery of rental arrears, and restoration of vacant possession.

The petitioner contended that he was the absolute owner of a house situated in EC Nagar, Cherlapally, Medchal-Malkajgiri district, which he had leased to the Cherlapally Notified Municipal Industrial Area Services Society on a monthly rent of `36,000. According to him, the lease agreement did not permit sub-letting, yet the society had handed over the premises to the Cherlapally police official without his consent. He also alleged that rent and utility charges had remained unpaid and that he was unable to seek eviction because the occupant was a police officer.

Assistant government counsel for home, informed the court that the society had cleared the outstanding rental arrears. It was also submitted that the police were occupying the premises through the society, which was receiving the rent.

After examining the record, Justice Venugopal noted that Clause 9 of the agreement expressly prohibited the tenant from subletting or assigning the premises to any person or organisation without the owner's prior written permission. Hence, in the absence of such authority, the occupation of the premises by the SHO pursuant to the unauthorised sub-lease was liable to be treated as illegal and unauthorised.