Telangana High Court takes strict action against illegal constructions.

On 11 March, the Telangana High Court sent a strong note that those who hide behind stay orders received from courts to secure their unlawful systems are no longer safe.

The High Court also demanded that Lokesh Kumar, Commissioner of the GHMC, provide information of all cases pending with the High Court and civil courts involving unlawful structures. The court has also directed its General Registrar to notify such courts that all these cases are being taken up by the CJ bench.

The Bench of Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and of Justice A Abhishek Reddy, said at the time of the plea of C R Sudhinder Kumar of Kruparam Bagh, near Sultan Bazar in Hyderabad, “We shall establish a separate category for all these cases and settle all such cases in a priority manner.” The complaint challenged the construction of the area’s five-story illegal building.

GHMC Commissioner Lokesh Kumar, who was present at the tribunal, told the bench that 10,600 complaints had been raised in Greater Hyderabad to demolish illegal buildings. It is in relation to the 1.10 lakh illicit structures pending directives within the regulatory framework.

“For the 10,000 buildings that were deemed illegal, we may demolish 3,400 buildings, but 4,600 illegal buildings were left helpless, and their occupants received stay orders from the courts,” Lokesh said.

The CJ told the Commissioner that the cases in special categories will be identified and addressed as a matter of priority.

“We cannot let people lift unlawfully or exploit court proceedings afterwards.” The bench said adding, “We must take a specific drive to clean up the city of illegal structures.” “The law of the land must reign and errant developers must hear the sounds of bulldozers,” said CJ.

The bench also advised the chief of the GHMC to be careful regarding his staff, who appeared to be gloves on the unauthorized builders. “The conduct must be strong against them; they’ll put wool over your eyes otherwise,” said the court.