Telangana HC extends interim protection to HYDRAA Commissioner Ranganath until January

The Telangana High Court on Tuesday, November 3, has extended its interim protection to Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) chief AV Ranganath. This order of the division bench has kept in abeyance a single judge’s order directing the Congress-led state government to remove him as the HYDRAA Commissioner.

A division Bench comprising Justices Moushumi Bhattacharya and Renuka Yara issued the latest directions while hearing two contempt appeals filed by Ranganath. The direction will remain suspended until further orders.

In another significant development, the division bench set aside its earlier restrictions preventing the HYDRAA Commissioner from interfering with the possession of a 40-acre property claimed by Shanta Sriram Constructions Private Limited at Lothkunta in Medchal-Malkajgiri district. It also vacated the status quo order previously imposed on the disputed land.

The legal dispute stems from allegations by Shanta Sriram Constructions that HYDRAA officials, despite specific court directions, entered its property and damaged office infrastructure, including containers, chairs, and tables, while removing tin-sheet structures. The company subsequently initiated four contempt proceedings against Ranganath, accusing him and his staff of violating the High Court's orders.

HYDRAA, however, maintained that the land in question belonged to the government, making its intervention necessary. The dispute eventually led to a single judge issuing an order on July 27, directing the state government to relieve Ranganath of his responsibilities as HYDRAA Commissioner and appoint another officer in his place.

Ranganath challenged the single judge's direction, following which a division Bench of the High Court suspended the order on September 1. The latest proceedings have extended that interim relief while also removing the earlier restrictions concerning the disputed property.

The two contempt appeals filed by Ranganath are scheduled for further hearing on January 20, 2027.