Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court questioned the government’s report on alleged encroachments at Salkam Cheruvu while hearing a petition challenging construction near the lake in Bandlaguda.
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar heard the case on Thursday. The government submitted a joint survey report prepared by the Revenue and Irrigation departments. Meanwhile, it argued that Mission Kakatiya works had altered the lake bund. It also told the court that no illegal structures existed within the Full Tank Level (FTL).
The Bench examined the survey report and the accompanying maps. However, it questioned how buildings shown in the maps could fall outside the FTL limits.
Salkam Cheruvu survey comes under scrutiny
The court also sought an explanation for the reduction in the lake’s extent. Earlier pahani records showed the lake spread over nearly 39 acres. Further, the Bench asked why authorities had not issued the final FTL notification despite publishing the preliminary notification in 2016.
The court expressed dissatisfaction with the authorities’ approach to removing alleged illegal structures. It also questioned the delay in completing the FTL notification process.
Advocate Vijay Gopal filed the petition. He alleged that the Barrister Fatima Owaisi Educational Campus, run by the Salar-e-Millat Educational Trust at Bandlaguda Kalsa, stood within the FTL and buffer zone of Salkam Cheruvu.
Meanwhile, counsel for the institution argued that the case was not a public interest litigation. The counsel also questioned why the petitioner challenged the construction only after its completion.
The High Court responded that any person could file a complaint against illegal constructions under the TS-bPASS provisions. During the hearing, officials informed the court that the School Education Department had not granted final permission to conduct classes at the institution.
Finally, the Bench directed the government to provide security to the petitioner after he reported receiving threats on social media. It then adjourned the hearing.