Telangana High Court slams unusual haste' by state in Etala probe
Deccan ChronicleHyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday found fault with the Medak district collector and other officials in conducting a survey and inspection in the lands of Jamuna Hatcheries, which belongs to the family members of former minister Etela Rajender, without issuing notices or intimation to them. Stating that prima facie there has been a serious violation of the principles of natural justice and also non-adherence of the provisions of the Telangana State Land Revenue Act, Justice Vinod Kumar suggested, “If the government finds any violations and illegalities of encroachment of assigned lands by Jamuna Hatcheries, then go ahead at the front gate, not go by the back gate by violating the rule of law and using the force,” Justice Vinod Kumar observed. Explaining that the experience of conducting a physical survey of 18 acres of land owned by him, the Judge said, “the report of the District Collector indicates that he might have conducted the survey by sitting in his car and going around the land and prepared an enquiry report in sitting in his room.” Mr D. Prakash Reddy, senior counsel appearing for Jamuna Hatcheries, opposed the contention of the A-G, who informed the court that the report of the district collector is preliminary in nature. After lengthy arguments and considering oral undertaking by the Advocate-General that the officials would proceed further by following due process of law, the court directed the district collector, Medak, to follow the procedure of relevant laws on the complaints received against the lands pertaining to Jamuna Hatcheries in Hakimpet and Masaipet villages of Medak district.