The Telangana High Court on Thursday issued notices to the state government, directing it to file a detailed counter-affidavit within four weeks in a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that private persons have encroached upon three acres of government land at a prime location in Medak town, Medak district.
Petitioners' Allegations
The petitioners, both journalists, alleged that private parties are in the process of converting the encroached land into a layout and are selling plots to innocent buyers. They urged the court to direct the government not to grant any construction permissions on the disputed land and to recover the land from the private parties.
Court's Directions
After hearing the plea, a bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin issued notices to the state government and passed directions accordingly.
Rajashekar Thallapally, counsel for the petitioners, informed the court that some private individuals had illegally purchased 1.38 acres of land, converted it into plots, and alienated it to different persons. Furthermore, these illegal encroachers occupied three acres of government land.
Value of Encroached Land
Rajashekar further contended that there is a government residential school near the Indira Gandhi outdoor sports stadium, which has significantly increased the value of the encroached land.
The court has given the state government four weeks to file its counter-affidavit, after which the matter will be heard further.
