Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has directed the state government to submit its explanation in a contempt petition filed by the Telangana State Backward Classes Welfare Association represented by its president Jajula Srinivas Goud.
Mr Goud had urged the court to punish the panchayat raj and BC welfare department officials for violation of court orders.
The petitioner alleged that the officials had conducted the gram panchayat elections in violation of High Court orders asking them enumerate the BC voter population and then provide reservations before issuing the gram panchayat election notification.
Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao, while dealing with the petition, came down heavily on the government pleaders for not filing the counter affidavit even after three months. The court directed the authorities to file the affidavit by the next hearing. It warned them that if they don't comply, they will be punished.
The judge questioned the government pleaders' argument that they were not aware of the court's orders. Reminding them of the appearance of additional advocate general and another government pleader at a previous hearing of the same case, the court asked them how could they make such a statement.
Justice Ramachandra Rao stated that by making such statements, the officials were attempting to sidetrack the court. The judge told the officials to file the counter-affidavit by June 14.
