Telangana HC Orders Status Quo on Disputed Land Near Statue of Equality

The Telangana High Court ordered to maintain status quo over 171 acres of disputed land near the Statue of Equality, Peddashapur in Ranga Reddy district, while hearing a batch of writ petitions challenging a Tahsildar order mutating names of private claimants in revenue records. Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy is dealing with petitions assailing proceedings of Tahsildar issued on February 28, whereby it was directed to incorporate the names of Yousufuddin Khan and others in Bhubharati records as owners of land in Survey Nos. 172 to 183. The judge was dealing with writ petitions filed by Omkar Carriers & Movers Pvt. Ltd and others. It was contended that the Tahsildar acted without jurisdiction and passed the order despite earlier proceedings rejecting rival claims over the same land. It was submitted that earlier claims of Mohammed Mohiuddin Khan were rejected by the Tahsildar and the decision was confirmed by the Revenue Divisional Officer. The petitioner further stated that on February 24, the Revenue Divisional Officer, functioning as Land Reforms Tribunal, again rejected the claim of Yousufuddin Khan and held that the land stood vested in the government as excess surrendered land. According to the petitioner, Yousufuddin Khan has also instituted a civil suit seeking a declaration of title and injunction over the same property, which remains pending. Shyam S. Agrawal, counsel for the petitioner, argued that despite repeated failures before revenue authorities, the claimants approached the High Court and obtained directions to the Tahsildar to consider their application, which culminated in the impugned mutation order. It was further argued that a notice was issued on May 27, 2025, calling for documentary evidence and a detailed explanation was submitted on June 6, 2025, tracing chain of title and lawful purchase of the land. However, no further opportunity of hearing was allegedly granted before the order was passed. Shyam S. Agrawal also pointed out that the petitioners claim ownership and possession over Survey Nos. 179 and 180 under registered sale deeds, He also contended that the names of petitioners were mutated in the revenue records and that the land contains structures, plantations, a goshala with around 400 cows, and other residential and religious activities. Several other persons have also filed related writ petitions claiming possession over portions of the same land for several decades. Justice Vijaysen Reddy directed all parties to maintain status quo over the subject land until further orders. The Court also directed the parties to file their counters.

Islamia College Fee: State Directed To Obtain Instructions Applicabiity of 2026 Amendment On Fee Fixation For Law Colleges

Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ petition filed by Islamia College of Law & another challenging reduction of its fee by the Telangana Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee without affording an opportunity of hearing. The judge directed the State to obtain instructions on applicability of a 2026 amendment governing fee fixation for law colleges. The petition was filed by Ahmed Memorial Educational Society and Islamia College of Law contending that though the proposal of college fee was earlier decided, the approved fee was later reduced without any further notice or hearing. The petitioner submitted that the Telangana Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee Rules, 2006 were amended in 2026 extending fee fixation powers to law colleges, subject to grant of an opportunity of hearing. During the hearing, Justice Sridevi enquired whether any government order existed authorising fee fixation for law colleges prior to the amendment and whether the amendment would affect the earlier decision. The counsel appearing for the State, sought time to obtain instructions and submitted that the decision reducing the fee was taken prior to the 2026 amendment, and therefore the amended provisions may not apply retrospectively. It was further contended that retrospective application could give rise to similar claims by other institutions. The judge directed the state to obtain instructions and posted the matter to April 20.

19-yr-old Youth Accused Of Sexual Assault Granted Bail

The Telangana High Court granted bail to a 19-year-old student accused for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl. The judge was dealing with a criminal petition filed by an accused facing charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act. According to the complaint filed by the father of the girl, the accused allegedly lured the victim to a hotel, booked a room, and forcibly engaged in physical relations with her, despite knowing she was a minor. The father further alleged that the accused mentally harassed, threatened his daughter and after the victim returned home late, the victim disclosed these details upon questioning by her father. Based on this complaint, the police registered a case against the petitioner. In his defense, the petitioner argued his innocence, claiming he was in a consensual relationship with the victim. It was pointed out that the accused is incarcerated since February 27 and needs to appear for his intermediate exams scheduled for April 20. While the prosecution opposed the request, contending that the investigation is ongoing and the charges are of a grave nature, the court granted bail.