A bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundersh and Justice N.K. Singh considered her plea for a stay on the Telangana High Court’s orders, which had recently dismissed a request to discharge her from the case
Hyderabad: In a relief to senior IAS officer Y. Srilakshmi, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed the trial against her in the high-profile Obulapuram mining scam case. A bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundersh and Justice N.K. Singh considered her plea for a stay on the Telangana High Court’s orders, which had recently dismissed a request to discharge her from the case.
HC halts work of Namitha 360 Life project
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court stayed all further construction activities on the 25-floor apartment, Namitha 360 Life, of Shreemukh Namitha Homes Pvt Ltd, projected as India’s first vertical forest apartments, at Izzatnagar of Serlingampally mandal, till further orders.
One of the shareholders of the project approached the court, challenging the permission granted by the GHMC to go ahead with the construction despite finding about 18 shortfalls.
K. Pratik Reddy, counsel for the petitioner, contended that GHMC had pointed to shortfalls like the lack of no-objection certificates from the fire department and from the Airports Authority of India, additional cellars, and construction contrary to the plan, etc., and while directing the realtor to stop further construction in May 2025. In June, however, the petitioner said, the GHMC revalidated the permission for two more years without referring to the shortfalls.
The GHMC, on instructions, opposed any interim order on the ground that it would take objections on shortfalls, if not rectified, at the time of granting the occupancy certificate.
Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy took strong objection to the GHMC’s submission since this would allow the unauthorised construction to continue. The court specifically asked why the shortfalls leading to the stoppage of construction in May were even referred to in the revalidation letter of June. Consequently, the High Court granted a stay on construction with immediate effect and adjourned the matter for further hearing on September 1.
HC clears egg tenders, fines petitioner `1 L
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has upheld the tenders floated by the government for supplying eggs to anganwadi centres and state-run educational institutions at Hyderabad, dismissing a petition that sought to stall the process. The court also imposed a penalty of `1 lakh on the petitioner, Siri Farms, for attempting to obstruct the tender proceedings.
The government had recently issued guidelines for the procurement of eggs through tenders for all gurukuls, KGBVs and hostels —excluding the mid-day meal scheme — besides anganwadi centres. The Hyderabad district collector, as chairman, entrusted the responsibility to the district purchase committee (DPC), comprising officials from the education, welfare, and women and child departments. The supply period has been fixed from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025.
Siri Farms of Ibrahimpatnam in Rangareddy district approached the court, challenging the tender awarded to M.A. Poultry and Feeds. The petitioner argued that the collector had finalised the tender without considering objections submitted on August 12, terming it a violation of Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution and principles of natural justice.
Countering these arguments, counsel for the unofficial respondent maintained that the tender process was conducted strictly in accordance with the rules.
Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka dismissed the plea, observing that the petition was aimed at stalling the supply process. The court not only upheld the tender but also slapped a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the petitioner for obstructing the smooth conduct of government welfare programmes.
Pandal row turns out to be woman’s dispute with grandson
Hyderabad: Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of Telangana High Court on Friday closed a contempt case against the police and the GHMC with regard to a Ganesh pandal in the city. The judge simultaneously ordered notice to the petitioner in a connected writ plea filed by her grandson.
The Ganesh pandal at MES Colony in Marredpally was effectively a dispute between a grandmother and a grandson, literally on two sides of the mandap. The grandmother earlier filed a writ petition complaining that the Bala Ganesh and Friends Association had raised a pandal without prior permission and the same had not only created traffic jams in the area but also affected her ingress and egress to her residence.
Entertaining the writ petition, Justice Shravan Kumar had directed the police to take a complaint on file and redress her grievance. She moved a contempt petition the next day, stating that even after the writ order, the authorities had failed to act.
The grandson, Dayanand Kalyan, moved the court seeking to reopen the writ petition. He also filed an independent writ petition challenging the action of the police in threatening to pull down the pandal in question.
Counsel Meghana Addla Suneel for the elderly petitioner on Friday argued on other aspects of the matter but acceded to the fact that since the idol was already consecrated, it would only be fair not to disturb the idol at this stage.
Senior counsel L. Ravichander, appearing for Dayanand Kalyan, pointed out that the elderly petitioner in the earlier writ petition had come to court with unclean hands and that she had failed to disclose her relationship with the person who raised the pandal and raised the idol. He also placed before the court a map to show that the lady had ingress and egress to her residence.
Based on the concession, the contempt case was closed. When senior counsel pointed out that larger issues were required to be adjudicated, and therefore, the writ petition was retained on file. In the latter writ petition, the judge ordered notice.
