HC Summons Senior Babus Over Unpaid Fish-Seed Dues
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court ordered personal appearance of senior state officials in a batch of contempt cases alleging wilful disobedience of a prior court direction to release dues for fish seed supplied under a government scheme
Hyderabad: Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court ordered personal appearance of senior state officials in a batch of contempt cases alleging wilful disobedience of a prior court direction to release dues for fish seed supplied under a government scheme. The judge was hearing contempt cases filed by Putta Fish Seed Farm and several others, who alleged that despite a clear order passed in January 2025 directing the fisheries department and other officials to process and release their pending amounts for fish seed supplied during 2023–24, the authorities failed to act. The petitioners contended that they were entitled to huge amounts, based on acknowledgments issued by the fisheries department. Earlier, the judge had granted a final opportunity to the respondents including the Special Chief Secretary, finance secretary, and the fisheries commissioner to verify the petitioners’ claims against the Vigilance Commission report and release payments to eligible suppliers. Despite several adjournments and no appeal filed against the original writ order, the respondents neither implemented the directions nor did they file a compliance report. On Tuesday, when the matter was taken up, the Government Pleader again sought additional time. Declining to grant any further adjournment, the judge ordered personal appearance before the court and posted the matter for further hearing.
HC orders probe into Kapu Trust row
Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka of the Telangana High Court directed the endowments commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry into allegations of mismanagement and unauthorised appointments within the Munnurukapu (Kapu) Vidyarthi Vasathi Gruham Trust, a notified public trust governed under the Telangana Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act. The judge heard a batch of writ pleas filed by Akula Paanduranga Rao and three others, suspended trustees, challenging their removal and other decisions taken by M.R. Venkat Rao, a self-styled chairperson of the Trust. The petitioners alleged that Rao, who earlier resigned due to health reasons, unlawfully resumed office, opened unauthorised bank accounts, diverted funds, and appointed three additional trustees in violation of the trust deed, which limits the board to five members. The judge noted that the rival claims about resignations, appointments, and financial dealings raised serious factual disputes. Observing that the Trust, though exempt from certain provisions under a government order, remains subject to regulatory oversight, including action of the Endowments Act, the judge deemed it appropriate to entrust the fact-finding to the endowments commissioner. The commissioner was directed to issue notices to both parties, conduct a fair hearing, and pass reasoned orders. Meanwhile, the judge ordered continuation of interim reliefs granted in writ pleas, effectively staying the suspension orders until the Commissioner concludes the inquiry.
HC to decide on JNTU catering contracts
Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court will continue to hear a writ plea challenging the award of four catering and maintenance tenders by the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTU) in favour of two private firms alleged to have submitted false documents. The judge was hearing a writ petition filed by M/s Archana Patel Enterprises. The petitioner contended that tenders for facilities at Kondagattu (Jagtial), Sultanpur (Sangareddy), Sircilla, and Wanaparthy were finalised on March 26, 2025, in favour of SS Catering and Maintenance and Prism Hospitality Services Pvt Ltd, despite both allegedly submitting fabricated or ineligible documents in violation of tender terms. The petitioner claimed that the action of JNTU authorities, particularly the chief engineer and registrar, in overlooking these irregularities and awarding the tenders to the said firms was arbitrary, unlawful, and violative of the Constitution. The petitioner sought to declare the finalisation of tender illegal and to direct the authorities to award the contracts in favour of the petitioner in accordance with law. The judge posted the matter for further hearing.
Bail granted on health grounds in dowry case
Justice J. Sreenivas Rao of the Telangana High Court on Monday partly allowed a bail plea filed by three family members accused in a dowry death case. The judge granted bail to a 56-year-old agriculturist on health grounds while rejecting bail to two other accused. The judge was hearing a criminal petition filed by Allepu Rajeshwar and two others. According to the prosecution, the deceased, Allepu Shailaja, was married to accused No.1 on March 6, 2025, and died by suicide on June 14, 2025, three months into the marriage. The complaint alleged persistent dowry harassment by her husband, mother-in-law, and the present petitioners (relatives of the husband), including demands for additional dowry, derogatory remarks, and mental cruelty that drove the deceased to end her life. The Public Prosecutor strongly opposed bail, citing specific allegations and the ongoing investigation. Counsel for the petitioners argued that they were falsely implicated due to familial ties and that the main allegations were against the husband and mother-in-law. Taking note of the age and medical condition of petitioner No. 1/accused No. 3, the judge granted him conditional bail. However, the judge declined to grant bail to the remaining two petitioners, noting the seriousness of the allegations and the early stage of the investigation.
