B. Narasimha Sharma Re-Appointed as Addl Solicitor General of India for Telangana HC
The court observed that persons who genuinely depended on forests traditionally lived in harmony with nature and did not cause damage to forest resources.
Hyderabad: The Centre has re-appointed B. Narsimha Sharma as additional solicitor-general of India (ASGI) for the Telangana High Court for a further term of three years. According to a notification issued by the Union law and justice ministry on Wednesday, the re-appointment will take effect from October 17, 2026, and continue for three years or until further orders. Sharma’s initial appointment was in October 2023 for three years.
HC Directs Bhadradri-Kothagudem Collector, SP To Provide Protection To Foresters
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has directed the Bhadradri Kothagudem district collector and superintendent of police to coordinate with the forest department and provide protection to forest officials who were enforcing the court’s orders to maintain status quo over disputed land declared as reserve forest.
Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti issued the direction after taking note of the apprehension expressed by the district forest officer (DFO) regarding the threat to the lives of forest officials while discharging their statutory duty of protecting forest land. The court adjourned the matter to October 8.
The court was hearing a contempt petition filed by Veerabhadram alleging interference with agricultural land and seizure of agricultural equipment despite the court’s earlier direction to maintain status quo. The dispute concerned land claimed by more than 62 tribal community residents of Kampagudem and Janakipuram in Annapureddypalli mandal of Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
The DFO placed a counter-affidavit before the court referring to incidents of attacks on forest officials. He informed the court that a forest range officer on duty near Errabod in the same district had earlier been hacked to death and that the accused in the case were subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Taking note of the threat perception, the court said there could be no compromise when it came to protection of forest land. It observed that even persons claiming to be tribals living in forest areas could not be permitted to fell trees or undertake activities prohibited in reserve forests.
The court observed that persons who genuinely depended on forests traditionally lived in harmony with nature and did not cause damage to forest resources. It emphasised that officials entrusted with protecting forest land must be enabled to discharge their duties without fear.
The court directed the DFO to submit a memorandum to the collector and the SP detailing the situation and the threat apprehended by the forest officials. The collector and SP were directed to examine the memorandum and take appropriate measures, including providing adequate security to the officials whenever they visit the disputed site.
The court made it clear that the forest department was entitled to take lawful action for protection of reserve forest land while both sides were required to maintain status quo in respect of the disputed property. The collector, SP and DFO appeared before the court through video conference. Special government counsel Pottigari Sridhar Reddy appeared on behalf of the state government.
