Telangana High Court Issues Notice On PIL Challenging Allotment Of Govt Land To Ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi

The Telangana High Court today issued notice to the State Government as well as the Bhartiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on a Public Interest Litigation challenging the allotment of 11 acres in Kokapet village, Gandipet Mandal to the ruling party.

The matter was heard by the Acting Chief Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili and Justice N. Rajeshwar Rao. The court listed the case for hearing on August 16.

The Forum for Good Governance, an NGO, though their counsel K.V Rajasree, has challenged the allotment and argued that the same is arbitrary and against the principals of natural justice.

The main grievance of the petitioner is that the land has been allotted at a price way below the market value and without conducting auction. It was stated before the court that although the market value of the land is close to 50 crores, it was being allotted at only 34.1 crores. The petitioner further contended that no Government Order was released in relation to the allotment, in the public domain, making it impossible to challenge it.

Advocate General B.S. Prasad representing the State contended that the market value being relied upon by the petitioner is nothing but a rough estimate. He submitted that the land was going to be utilised for the benefit of the public at large.

"An offer was made by the Political Party (BRS) and the same is yet to be considered by the Cabinet. The only reason why there is no GO yet is because discussions are still pending at the cabinet level and nothing had reached finality," said the AG.

The bench at this stage observed that the petition may be premature.

“If the price is fixed, then you may have some grievance, at this stage, it is pre-mature,” the bench said and further went on the read the part of the circular that stipulates that an official copy will be issued, once the cabinet has deliberated on the allotment amount finally.

The petitioner vehemently contended that the State in cahoots with the Political Party was wilfully delaying the release of the G.O. and stated that “it will always be pre-mature if G.O is never released." It was further submitted that construction has already started on the land.

Title: Forum for Good Governance vs. State of Telangana