Revanth Reddy Defends HYDRAA After Court Order, Says Agency Will Be Strengthened Further

Hyderabad, July 2026: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday strongly defended the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), stating that his government fully supports the agency and will continue to strengthen it despite recent observations by the Telangana High Court.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, a day after the High Court directed the Chief Secretary to replace HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath over alleged violations of court orders, Revanth Reddy said he had not yet examined the detailed contents of the judgment.

The Chief Minister said the government would review the order carefully but reiterated that it has the highest respect for the judiciary. He described HYDRAA as one of the biggest reforms introduced by his administration and asserted that the agency would continue its work of protecting public assets and removing illegal encroachments.

Revanth Reddy alleged that certain groups were spreading misinformation against HYDRAA and claimed that some encroachers had approached courts by filing false cases and producing fabricated documents to obstruct the agency’s actions.

He made it clear that HYDRAA would continue its mandate of removing illegal structures built on water bodies, government lands and other protected areas.

The High Court on Monday directed Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju to identify a suitable officer to replace A.V. Ranganath as the head of HYDRAA. The direction was issued in connection with a contempt petition related to a 40-acre land parcel at Lothkunta involving a private construction company.

The single-judge bench observed that around 63 contempt cases were reportedly pending against Ranganath during his nearly one-and-a-half-year tenure as HYDRAA Commissioner.

The contempt proceedings were initiated by a private construction company, which alleged that HYDRAA officials entered the disputed property and fenced it despite existing judicial restraint orders. The court had earlier directed Ranganath to submit a written affidavit tendering an apology by Monday.

Ranganath, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, has headed HYDRAA since its formation by the Telangana government around two years ago. The agency was created with the objective of protecting Hyderabad’s lakes, nalas, parks, government lands and other ecological assets from illegal occupation.

HYDRAA has claimed that over the past two years it has protected 3,315 acres of government land valued at around ₹1.5 lakh crore and restored several water bodies across Hyderabad.

Following the High Court’s order, Ranganath highlighted the work carried out by HYDRAA and maintained that many contempt petitions filed against him were initiated by individuals involved in alleged land grabbing activities.

The controversy over HYDRAA has intensified political debate in Telangana, with the opposition accusing the agency of selective action, while the state government maintains that its efforts are aimed at safeguarding public resources and ensuring planned urban development in Hyderabad.