The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Gurukul Trust leases cancelled

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Tuesday, Jan 01, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Gurukul Trust leases cancelled

Legal Correspondent

Judgment to restore the government’s rights over these lands

GHMC chief urged to remove cellular towers if they are unsafe
Notice ordered to police officers in case of woman’s death

Hyderabad: A Division Bench of the High Court comprising acting Chief Justice Bilal Nazki and Justice Nooty Ramamohana Rao on Monday made it clear that the leases to third parties pertaining to lands of the Gurukul Ghatkesar Trust in and around Hyderabad stand cancelled.

This far-reaching judgment, which will restore the rights of the Government over these valuable lands, was delivered while upholding the constitutional validity of the amendment brought in 2002 to the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious and Endowments Act 1987.

Challenged

The effect of the Act was that the leases and subsequent rights created over lands belonging to the Gurukul Ghatkeswar Trust stand cancelled. This was challenged by various persons who have interest in these lands and the Bench has now dismissed these writ petitions.

Cellular towers

Another Bench comprising acting Chief Justice Bilal Nazki and Justice Ramesh Ranganathan directed the Commissioner of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to take action to remove the cellular transmission towers erected on buildings if they are found not adhering to safety.

The Bench was closing a writ petition filed by a resident of Kapra Municipality area who complained against the action of the municipal authorities in seeking to proceed against her.

The Reliance company and the officers of the municipal area were directed to pay Rs. 10,000 to the petitioner.

Petition dismissed

The same Bench dismissed the writ petition filed by P. Seethapathi Rao, former advisor to the government for irrigation projects, challenging the action of the Lok Ayukta in initiating an inquiry against him.

The Lok Ayukta had conducted an elaborate inquiry into lapses and Mr. Seethapathi Rao’s role in reference to the Yellampally project. Mr. Rao submitted to the court that he was never under the payscale of the government and that he was only an advisor.

Therefore, he stated, he does not come under the purview of the Lok Ayukta. The Bench felt otherwise.

Junior doctors’ strike

The issue of registering a case against persons who allegedly caused the death of a pregnant woman at Nayapul Hospital, which ultimately led to the agitation by junior doctors in the State, landed in the High Court on Monday.

Justice R. Subhash Reddy ordered notice to the police officers in the writ petition filed by Syed Chand. Mr. Chand sought a direction to the police to register the case.

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