HYDERABAD: Recording its strongest indignation against HYDRAA’s actions towards the court orders and not filing a proper affidavit in a contempt case filed by Shanta Sriram Constructions Private Limited, the Telangana High Court yet again ripped through the agency and its chief AV Ranganath, calling their actions “unprecedented and unheard of in the entire history of the High Court.”Justice Anil Jukanti, while hearing the contempt matter on Friday, ordered Ranganath’s personal appearance before the court on the next hearing scheduled on Monday, July 27, with a detailed affidavit apologising to the court for violating court orders, a clear assurance that HYDRAA will not enter the property again and also explaining the reasons why they entered the property on July 18.The judge, recording the presence of Advocate General A Sudarshan Reddy, said but for “the gracious presence of the chief law officer of the state” and him seeking indulgence, the court would have ordered Ranganath to be taken into custody. Stating that people (Secretariat) on the other side of the river (Musi) should also know that there is an AG who is fair to the court, unlike the govt officers and several others.“It is also right to note that the chief law officer has been very fair to the court,” said the judge, while dictating the order in the open court. The judge also clarified that Thursday’s order requesting army deployment for protecting the disputed site, though on record, would be recalled and Friday’s order would be in force.Further taking a dig at other govt agencies approaching HYDRAA for support, the judge asked why revenue, irrigation, GHMC and every agency everybody is approaching him (HYDRAA chief) when they have clear laws on encroachments.“Why are revenue, irrigation, GHMC and everybody approaching him? have they become toothless? It has become regular for him to flout orders and he is espousing everybody’s cause for whatever reasons best known just with a single GO (constituting HYDRAA), bypassing all authorities and departments,” remarked the judge.Referring to Ranganath, the judge said, “He has become a law unto himself. What we find here is everybody is approaching him. Then oppose all the acts and say only HYDRAA act,” said the judge, while adjourning the matter for further hearing.
