Telangana High Court to Hear Petition Challenging Demolition of Bhoodan Land Homes
The Telangana High Court has scheduled a hearing for March 23 on a petition that contests the demolition of houses allegedly constructed on Bhoodan land in Velugumatla village, located in Khammam district. This legal action was initiated by a group of twenty daily wage workers who assert that their residences were demolished by authorities on February 24.
Petitioners' Claims and Court Proceedings
Although the matter did not come up for a full hearing initially due to time constraints, Justice B Vijaysen Reddy acknowledged the case after it was brought to his attention by the petitioners' counsel. The court indicated that a detailed hearing would take place on March 24. The petitioners, who reside in Gotilla Park within Khanapuram Haveli urban area of Khammam, expressed deep distress over the actions of the Telangana Bhoodan Yagna Board. They reported that structures across several survey numbers were demolished, despite the land having been allocated to them by the board, with pattas issued for plots measuring 100 square yards each.
Allegations of Forced Demolition Without Notice
According to the petitioners, revenue officials forcibly entered their homes in February and demolished the structures in the early morning hours without issuing any prior notice. They further contended that similar demolitions had occurred under previous governments, but they had successfully obtained favorable orders from the high court in those instances. The petitioners argued that while the Bhoodan Yagna Board no longer exists, the special chief secretary and chief commissioner of land administration now act as its authorized representatives and were responsible for issuing the demolition orders.
Background and Legal Demands
Authorities had previously declared the petitioners as encroachers on 3.07 acres of Bhoodan land in January and directed revenue officials to take possession of the land. In response, the petitioners have sought the suspension of these January proceedings. They have urged the court to direct the state government to:
- Rebuild their houses at the original site.
- Pay compensation for the demolished structures after assessing damages through an advocate commissioner.
This case highlights ongoing tensions over land rights and government actions in Telangana, with the high court set to play a crucial role in resolving the dispute.
