SCCL Slammed For Improper Compliance of Orders

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday came down heavily on Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) for improper compliance with its earlier directions relating to the categorisation of employees under para 9.4.0 of the National Coal Wage Agreement-VI (NCWA-VI).

The panel comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin observed that the exercise undertaken by the company disclosed a clear lack of application of mind. The batch of writ appeals arises out of long-pending litigation concerning claims for dependent employment and allied benefits by workmen who were medically assessed for permanent disablement or general physical debility.

Earlier, the High Court categorically directed that the issue of categorisation under Clause (i) or Clause (ii) of para 9.4.0 be undertaken by the employer, strictly on the basis of the opinion rendered by the independent Medical Board of Gandhi Medical Hospital.

However, when the matter was taken up on the previous date, the Court found that the Committee constituted by SCCL had relied upon multiple other materials, including earlier medical reports and internal minutes, contrary to the express mandate of the Court.

Taking exception to this approach, the Court summoned the personal presence of the Director (Personnel, Administration & Welfare) of SCCL. On Tuesday, the Gowtham Potru, IAS appeared before the Bench. The Court expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which its directions were implemented and observed that the exercise was not carried out in letter and spirit.

The panel observed that judicial directions cannot be diluted by administrative interpretation and accordingly directed SCCL to redo the entire categorisation exercise afresh in accordance with the earlier orders of the Court. The matter is posted to February 05, for further consideration after submission of a fresh report.

Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court directed the Kukatpally police to give a fresh opportunity to a shipping company to submit documents and witnesses and to conduct further investigation into allegations of misappropriation of company funds and unlawful use of company-owned vehicles.

The judge was hearing a writ petition filed by M/s Globe Line Shipping Services Pvt. Ltd., a Hyderabad-based shipping and logistics company, alleging that the police filed a final report without properly examining the material placed by the complainant. The petitioner alleged that its former HR Manager, B. Reddy Anupama, along with G.K. Naidu and Subbah Naidu, misappropriated company funds of about Rs. 47.47 lakh and unlawfully retained two company-owned vehicles, a Toyota Innova Crysta and an Audi Q7.

It was contended that despite registration of an FIR pursuant to earlier court directions, the investigating agency neither seized the vehicles nor examined the accused properly and ultimately treated the dispute as civil in nature. The State contended that notices were issued to the petitioner and pointed out that a civil suit relating to the vehicles was pending before a city civil court. After hearing both sides, the judge noted that the final report did not refer to the reply of the petitioner or the documents submitted by it.

Holding that the petitioner was entitled to a fair opportunity, the judge directed the investigating officer to permit submission of all relevant material, conduct further investigation and thereafter file an additional or supplementary report before the trial court, clarifying that no opinion was expressed on the merits of the allegations.

Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka of the Telangana High Court dismissed a writ petition alleging irregularities in the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of pastoral elections relating to the Medak Diocese Church Council. The judge was dealing with a writ petition filed by Rapally Prasad and three others.

The petitioners alleged inaction on the part of the Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and others in failing to act on complaints raised by church members regarding the inclusion of ineligible voters and exclusion of eligible voters in the electoral lists, terming such inaction illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional.

The petitioners also questioned the conduct of elections and the proposed 38th Ordinary Session of the Medak Diocese Council Elections for the term 2025–2028. The petitioners specifically challenged the actions of the Moderator, Church of South India (CSI), and other authorities in including ineligible voters and excluding eligible members in the electoral lists prepared for pastoral elections.

They also assailed the conduct of elections in various pastorates despite representations highlighting alleged defects in the voter lists. Among other reliefs, the petitioners sought setting aside of the electoral lists prepared thus far, annulment of elections already conducted, directions for preparation of fresh electoral rolls, and conduct of fresh elections based on revised lists.

After hearing the submissions, the judge declined to interfere and dismissed the writ petition, thereby allowing the electoral process to proceed in accordance with the existing schedule.