The Telangana High Court on Monday directed the state government to remove AV Ranganath, Commissioner of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), from his post.
The single-judge bench, led by Justice Jukanti Anil Kumar, rejected Mr. Ranganath’s apology in a batch of contempt proceedings and highlighted multiple instances of the agency’s alleged defiance of court directives. The ruling stems from contempt petitions filed by M/s Shanta Sriram Constructions Private Limited concerning approximately 40 acres of land in Survey Nos. 1 and 2 of Lothkunta village, Ranga Reddy district.
The petitioner accused HYDRAA officials of repeatedly entering the disputed property and carrying out actions despite explicit court orders restraining such interference. Justice Jukanti Anil Kumar observed that as many as 63 contempt cases were pending against Commissioner Ranganath. The court emphasized that allowing him to continue in the position would undermine the rule of law. It instructed the Chief Secretary to identify and appoint a suitable replacement for the HYDRAA commissioner.
This order follows a series of tense hearings in recent days.
Earlier in the week, the High Court had expressed strong displeasure over HYDRAA’s actions, even issuing and later keeping in abeyance a rare directive to involve Army personnel in securing the disputed site after the court stated it had ‘lost all faith’ in the state government’s instrumentalities to enforce its orders. The bench had also demanded a personal affidavit from Mr. Ranganath containing an unconditional apology and assurances against future interference.
The court noted that HYDRAA, tasked with protecting public assets like water bodies and government lands, has a ‘laudable objective’ but must operate within legal boundaries and show restraint, especially in matters under judicial scrutiny. Repeated breaches, including actions on July 18 despite prior warnings, were cited as evidence of wilful non-compliance.
Ranganath, an IPS officer, has faced similar contempt scrutiny in the past, including cases related to other land and lake disputes such as Bathukammakunta. While previous instances resulted in directives for restoration and compliance without immediate removal, Monday’s order marks a significant escalation. The High Court’s directive comes amid ongoing debates over HYDRAA’s aggressive anti-encroachment drives in and around Hyderabad. While supporters credit the agency with safeguarding public resources, critics argue it has overstepped, leading to legal challenges from private parties claiming ownership or possession rights.
As of now, the state government is expected to respond to the court’s direction on Ranganath’s removal. The contempt proceedings themselves were disposed of with this order, but the underlying civil dispute over the Lothkunta land ownership is likely to continue separately.