HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Thursday resumed hearing on the Kancha Gachibowli land dispute, issuing a stay on the felling of trees across 400 acres. The court passed orders in response to a series of petitions demanding a halt to the clearing operations in the contested area.
The bench directed that no further activity be undertaken on the land until April 7, when the next hearing is scheduled. The court instructed the government to file a counter-affidavit by that date and advised that no work should be carried out on the land in the interim.
During the hearing of the Public Interest Litigations (PILs), the Advocate General sought additional time from the High Court to file the counter. Accepting the request, the court adjourned the matter accordingly.
Meanwhile, the issue is also under scrutiny in the Supreme Court.
A separate petition was filed in the Supreme Court alleging that trees were being indiscriminately cut down on the 400-acre tract near the Central University. The petitioner’s legal counsel requested an urgent hearing before a bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai.
Responding to the plea, the bench scheduled a hearing for 3:45 PM and directed the High Court Registrar to inspect the site and submit a report. The apex court also instructed the state government not to proceed with any further tree felling until then.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared on behalf of the state government. Upon being informed that the case was already under consideration in the High Court, Justice Gavai clarified that the Supreme Court would not issue any stay order on the High Court proceedings.
