PIL filed against demolition of Secretariat buildings

Hyderabad: Division bench of the Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Shameem Akhtar on Wednesday heard a public interest litigation filed by Vice-president of Telangana Jana Samithi P L Visweswara Rao.

In his petition, the petitioner sought an interim relief against the demolition of Secretariat buildings by citing several landmark verdicts of the Supreme Court of India. Advocate Chikkudu Prabhakar argued vehemently before the bench against the demolition of Secretariat buildings.

Advocate apprised the court of several landmark judgments of the apex court and submitted before the court that an interim relief should be granted against the demolition. Advocate further argued before the bench that the existing Secretariat structures have structural stability with the life span of about 50 to 70 years and therefore construction of new Secretariat is unnecessary and involves a loss to the public exchequer.

The bench, after hearing the advocate for approximately an hour, informed him that as per the guidelines of the apex court judiciary cannot intervene with the decisions of the executive unless there is a flagrant violation to either fundamental rights or principles of natural justice.

The bench also informed the advocate representing the petitioner that without serving notices to the respondents granting interim relief to the petitioner is not possible. When the Advocate submitted before the bench that this institution is a temple of justice , Chief Justice retorted that he very well believes in that principle, however without serving notices to respondents the court cannot proceed further on the matter.

Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary Roads and Buildings , Commissioner GHMC and Secretary Legislative Department were made parties to the petition. The bench after servicing notices to the respondents posted the matter to July 18 for further hearing.