Telangana HC Gives 2 Weeks To Clear Footpaths

Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar granted two weeks, as a final indulgence, to the authorities, to submit a report detailing the action taken to implement its earlier directions on safeguarding pedestrian pathways. It was made clear to the authorities that they shall start taking action in implementing orders, right from the outside of the High Court premises extending to the entire city.

The judge was hearing a public interest litigation concerning illegal occupation of footpaths and the resultant inconvenience caused to pedestrians. The petitioners informed the court that despite specific directions issued on May 4, no meaningful steps had been taken by the authorities to clear encroachments.

They pointed out that even footpaths surrounding the High Court continued to be occupied by shops and other structures, forcing advocates, litigants and members of the public to walk on the busy road. The court was also informed that no compliance report had been filed by the authorities despite earlier directions.

In its earlier orders, the High Court had directed the authorities to undertake immediate drives to remove encroachments from footpaths and secure them through permanent protective fixtures to ensure their exclusive use by pedestrians. The court had also directed authorities to maintain roads properly and take prompt action against illegal parking that obstructs traffic movement. The authorities were further instructed to submit a detailed report on the implementation of those directions.

During the hearing, Justice Shravan Kumar referred to several Supreme Court judgments, which held that violators of planning regulations and unauthorised constructions should not be granted judicial protection or regularisation. Reference was also made to the Supreme Court's guidelines in the 2024 "Bulldozer Case" governing the procedure to be followed while undertaking demolition of unauthorised structures.

Observing that encroachments on footpaths near the High Court not only inconvenienced pedestrians but also worsened traffic congestion and hampered the smooth movement of vehicles, Justice Kumar stressed that similar problems persist in several parts of Hyderabad where footpaths have been illegally occupied. The judge directed the High Court Registry to communicate the latest order to the concerned authorities for effective implementation.

Secunderabad Devasthanam Must Follow Endowments Act: Telangana HC

Justice Lakshmi Narayana Alishetty of the Telangana High Court held that the Sri Kanyaka Parmeshwari Devasthana Sangam at Hyderbasti, Secunderabad, was a religious institution and it was mandatory that it follow the rules, regulations, procedure, etc., as envisaged in the Endowments Act. The judge held that any deviation of the same would amount to mismanagement.

The judge was disposing of a writ petition filed by Nagilla Srinivas, president of the Telangana Rashtriya Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi, challenging the construction of the temple complex. He alleged that the temple management had amassed approximately `16 crore from devotees. He said he had made several representations on the matter but the endowments department did not act upon them.

Srinivas sought directions to take appropriate steps to safeguard the funds of the temple and to protect its land from encroachers claiming to be members of the managing committee.

Senior counsel L. Ravichander pointed out that inaction on the part of the authorities, despite having knowledge of the illegalities committed in respect of the temple, was not appreciable and prayed that the writ petition be allowed. He also pointed out that the writ petition was filed to protect the temple property, to safeguard larger public interest, i.e., the rights of the devotees, to ensure proper and transparent administration of the temple and to preserve the sanctity of the religious institution.

It was also pointed out that no approvals for the construction plans were obtained from the engineering department and that there was a lack of audit of the donations received.

The court deemed it appropriate to relegate the parties to the competent authority under the Endowments Act, who, after detailed inquiry into the matter, must adjudicate the disputed questions of fact like obtaining the advice of a sthapathi before shifting of the deity from the ground floor to first floor, whether the religious rituals including Kumbhabhishekam and Vighna Pratishtha, which are necessary for consecration and sanctification prior to opening the newly-constructed temple, had been performed or not, etc., and and pass appropriate orders in accordance with the Endowments Act.

HC directs DLSA`s probe into custody procedures for rescued child

Expressing concern over procedural lapses in the handling of a three-year-old child who was rescued from an alleged illegal adoption and child trafficking racket, the Telangana High Court on Tuesday directed the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) of Nalgonda and Suryapet to conduct an independent review and submit a comprehensive report within two weeks.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G. M. Mohiuddin issued the directions while hearing a writ appeal filed by a couple from Suryapet seeking custody of the child. The couple had challenged an earlier order of a single judge refusing to intervene with the custody of the child that was with the child welfare committee (CWC), Nalgonda.

According to the records placed before the court, the Suryapet police had rescued the child in May 2025 during an investigation into an alleged child trafficking network that purportedly sold infants and young children to childless couples. Police arrested around 15 persons in connection with the racket, while several adoptive couples who allegedly procured children through illegal means were named as accused.

The appellants claimed that the child, then barely a month old, had been given to them for adoption and had remained in their care for over eight months before the police took the infant away handed her over to the CWC. Authorities contended that the adoption was not in accordance with law. The single judge had also taken note of the FIR, which alleged that the child was sold for ₹6 lakh and formed part of a wider illegal adoption network.

During the hearing, the division bench scrutinised records produced by Nalgonda district child protection officer K. Ganesh, who appeared before the court pursuant to earlier directions. The officer submitted the admission register relating to the child, who has been housed at Shishugruha, Nalgonda, since May 28, 2025.

The court found significant gaps in the documentation concerning the social investigation report (SIR), a key document that forms the basis for decisions regarding the rehabilitation and welfare of children under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. While the register recorded that the SIR had been completed on 3 June 13, 2025, it did not indicate when instructions were issued to the social worker to conduct the investigation. Further, the copy of the SIR filed before the court did not contain the date on which it was prepared.

In view of these shortcomings, the court directed the secretaries of the DLSAs in Nalgonda and Suryapet to verify the proceedings and measures undertaken in relation to the child’s protective custody and submit a detailed report through the Telangana State Legal Services Authority within two weeks. The DLSAs have also been asked to furnish details of other children housed at Sishu Griha, Nalgonda, pursuant to CWC orders and indicate whether similar child care institutions are functioning in Suryapet district.

The bench further directed the Nalgonda district child protection officer to remain present on the next date of hearing and posted the matter to July 8 for further consideration.