Telangana High Court Takes Stern Action Over Unpaid Farmer Compensation
Justice NV Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court issued a strong directive on Monday. The judge summoned three top state officials to appear personally before the court. They must explain why contempt proceedings should not start against them.
Officials Face Personal Appearance Order
The court named Principal Secretary for Irrigation and CAD Department Rahul Bojja. It also named Principal Secretary for Finance Department Sandeep Kumar Sulthania. Chief Commissioner of Land Administration DS Lokesh Kumar received the same order. All three must appear in person at the next hearing.
Justice Shravan Kumar expressed clear frustration. The court had given multiple opportunities for compliance. Authorities failed to follow orders regarding compensation for farmers. Their land was acquired for the Shankara Samudram balancing reservoir in Wanaparthy district.
Long Battle for Compensation
Over sixty farmers from Pangal mandal filed the contempt petition. Their struggle began in 2013 when the state acquired their land for the reservoir project. The original compensation amount proved unsatisfactory. Farmers approached the Wanaparthy civil court seeking enhanced compensation.
The civil court ruled in the farmers' favor in 2023. This decision mandated higher compensation payments. State authorities challenged this ruling in the High Court. A single judge issued an order in April 2025. This order required releasing fifty percent of the compensation amount determined by the civil court.
Authorities Blame Each Other for Delay
Months passed without payment. Farmers moved the contempt petition citing abnormal delay. During hearings, the finance department's principal secretary filed a counter. He stated his department would process payments only after receiving the file from the irrigation department.
State counsel requested additional time to file counters. The judge questioned this approach sharply. How could authorities plan new land acquisitions without settling compensation for already acquired land? The court warned it might stall all land acquisition processes if payments remained pending.
Court Sets February Deadline
Justice Shravan Kumar adjourned the matter to February 2 for further hearing. The judge made the court's position unmistakably clear. Continued non-compliance would not be tolerated. The summoned officials must present themselves and show cause why contempt action should not proceed.
This case highlights ongoing tensions between development projects and farmer rights. The Shankara Samudram reservoir project continues facing legal hurdles. Farmers await justice for land taken over a decade ago. The High Court's stern stance signals judicial impatience with bureaucratic delays affecting citizens.
