Telangana High Court orders police to maintain peace during lake restoration on Hyderabad’s outskirts

“This Court is of the considered opinion that the Agency which is undertaking the rejuvenation and restoration work shall act within its bounds and shall not in any way transgress the directions issued by this Court from time to time,” the order stated.

While granting police assistance, the court also issued directions to ensure that the work is carried out within the legal framework and without excessive force. The court directed the chief secretary to immediately appoint an officer not below the rank of a revenue divisional officer (RDO) to oversee the rejuvenation and restoration work and submit a report. The court directed this officer to form an independent opinion on the ground realities and submit the report in a sealed cover by the next date of hearing. The RDO or any officer present is also directed to carry out videography of the entire work.

HYDRAA’s counsel submitted that its staff strictly confined the work to the full-tank level area to restore the lake to its natural state. On the contrary, the counsel for the residents’ association said the authorities were acting high-handedly and taking up work in unintended areas.

Justice Jukanti noted that a number of interlocutory applications were being filed by both parties without inviting a final order. “This cannot go on, the lakes are the property of State, and they are for future generations…that water bodies have to be protected in their pristine form and that doctrine of public trust must be upheld,” the order stated.

The court made it clear that the station house officer (SHO) of the local police should maintain peace and not use force.