Bathukamma Kunta: HC Status Quo Fails to Stop Work
The High Court had ordered a status quo on February 17, 2025, and reaffirmed it on May 7, making it binding that no activity should take place on the land until the next hearing on June 10
Hyderabad: Despite the Telangana High Court’s status quo, excavation continues at the disputed Bathukamma Kunta site in Bagh Amberpet on Sunday. Earthmovers and trucks were seen operating at the location, raising questions over the enforcement of judicial orders and accountability of state agencies.
The site, which is spread over seven acres in Survey No. 563/1, is caught in a long-running dispute between BRS leader Aedla Sudhakar Reddy and HYDRAA. Reddy claims the land belongs to his family based on a 1986 agreement and argues it was dry land intended for residential use. Government agencies insist it is a lake bed that Reddy allegedly filled with debris to convert and claim it as private property.
A civil case on the issue is pending before the Hyderabad City Civil Court.
The High Court had ordered a status quo on February 17, 2025, and reaffirmed it on May 7, making it binding that no activity should take place on the land until the next hearing on June 10. Despite this, workers at the site appeared to be operating uninterrupted.
One of the workers on the ground told Deccan Chronicle, “Machinery had already been moved in. Rent was being paid, and it was just lying idle. So, the decision was made to go ahead with the work instead of letting it go to waste.”
Eyewitnesses, too, confirmed activity on the ground. “They’ve been working since Friday — JCBs, lorries, the whole thing,” said a watchman posted near the site. “No one’s come to stop them despite all the court orders.” A local resident added, “We saw this earlier too — they resumed after the February stay. This time, they look even more confident.”
The continued activity has prompted Sudhakar Reddy to issue a contempt of court notice to HYDRAA’s commissioner. Sent on Sunday through his counsel P. Badri Premnath, the notice accused HYDRAA of “willful and wanton disobedience” of the High Court’s May 7 order. It also warned that further violations could lead to legal proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act.
When contacted, HYDRAA assistant chief engineer B. Sujeeth, who had earlier lodged a police complaint against Reddy for trespassing, said he was “no longer associated with the Bathukamma Kunta project.” Attempts to reach HYDRAA officials on Sunday went unanswered, and the agency has so far refused to comment on the ongoing work at the site.
