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HC Seeks Report on Lakes FTL in HMDA Today

The Telangana High Court upheld that once temples are amalgamated under Section 145 of the AP Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987, they must be treated as a single entity from the date of amalgamation.

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court directed the state to file a report by February 5 qua issuance of notification with regard to the full tank level (FTL) of water bodies situated within the territorial limits of HMDA. A panel comprising acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara was dealing with a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL), registered when the final notification of 2,525 lakes was not issued within three months as promised earlier. The HMDA commissioner had appeared through video conferencing on November 14, 2024, and apprised that the final notification in respect of the 2,525 lakes shall be issued within a period of three months. On the last occasion, the special government pleader contended that a preliminary notification was issued in respect of 2,793 lakes situated within the HMDA limits out of 3,342 lakes, a final notification was issued for the 765 lakes. He also contended that the substantial work relating to the issuance of final notification was undertaken and progress will be reported on February 4. On Tuesday, the panel granted a day’s time to file the report and posted the matter to February 18.

HC clarifies on temple merger

The Telangana High Court upheld that once temples are amalgamated under Section 145 of the AP Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987, they must be treated as a single entity from the date of amalgamation. Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka set aside the seniority order issued by the executive officer of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam, Yadagirigutta, which had wrongfully placed a 59-year-old senior assistant, G. Rama Rao, in a lower position following the amalgamation of the Patha Gutta Temple with the main temple. The dispute arose from the amalgamation of Sri Patha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam, Pathagutta, with Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam as per an order issued by the commissioner of endowments on September 13, 2004. This merger was conducted under Section 145 of the AP Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987, which regulates the administration of temple endowments in the state. Despite the 2004 amalgamation order, the executive officer issued a seniority list on February 27, 2016, in which the petitioner was placed below a candidate promoted in 2015. The executive officer argued that the official amalgamation took place only in 2015, thereby justifying the petitioner’s lower rank in the seniority list. The judge held that the correct date of amalgamation is September 13, 2004, as per the official order issued by the commissioner of endowments. The date of June 7, 2015, cited by the executive officer was only an internal administrative decision regarding temple management and could not be considered the official date of amalgamation. The petitioner was unfairly placed below a junior employee who was promoted in 2015, despite the petitioner’s promotion occurring in 2004. The judge directed the executive officer to re-draft the seniority list, ensuring that Rama Rao is placed below those promoted on or before September 26, 2004, and to provide him with all consequential benefits.

Woman seeks med. aid for jailed son

Justice K. Sharath of Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea filed by a woman seeking medical assistance for her son, allegedly detained illegally by the police. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Giguru Sakku Bai, challenging the inaction of the Narsingi station house officer in taking her complaint against one Bantolla Sravan Kumar, who allegedly assaulted her son, resulting in the loss of three teeth, tongue infection and high fever. According to the petitioner, the police failed to take action against the Sravan Kumar and instead kept her son in illegal custody for five days, before sending him to jail without proper medical care. The petitioner contended that the delay in arresting the unofficial respondent or issuing a Section 353 CrPC notice, was illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional. The plea also alleged police influence in the matter, leading to the unlawful detention and mistreatment of the petitioner’s son. The petitioner claimed that a false case was foisted against her son to harass him and seize their property. The petitioner would seek immediate direction for a detailed inquiry into the complaint and action against the unofficial respondent. The plea also sought medical treatment for the petitioner’s son at Chanchalguda Central Prison due to his deteriorating health. Additionally, the petitioner urged the judge to direct authorities to send his daughter-in-law to Osmania General Hospital to verify the truth behind the alleged injuries. In response, the government pleader sought time to get instructions in the matter. Accordingly, the judge posted the matter for further adjudication.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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