Telangana High Court Directs Chief Secretary to Replace HYDRAA Chief Over Repeated Court Order Violations

Hyderabad, July 2026 : In a significant development, the Telangana High Court on Monday directed the state’s Chief Secretary, Sanjay Jaju, to immediately identify and appoint a new Commissioner for the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), expressing serious concern over repeated instances of alleged non-compliance with judicial orders by the agency’s current chief, A.V. Ranganath.

Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti issued the directive while hearing a contempt petition concerning a disputed 40-acre parcel of land at Lothkunta, where a private construction company accused HYDRAA officials of entering the property and erecting fencing despite existing court orders restraining such action. The court observed that repeated disregard for judicial directions by a senior officer was unacceptable and undermined the rule of law. It noted that nearly 63 contempt cases were reportedly pending against Ranganath during his one-and-a-half-year tenure as HYDRAA Commissioner, describing the situation as unprecedented for an officer of secretary rank.

The court also expressed displeasure over the Commissioner’s failure to submit a written affidavit containing an unconditional apology, despite having been specifically directed to do so by Monday. Instead, counsel representing HYDRAA informed the bench that a petition would be filed shortly. Justice Jukanti took strong exception to this submission, pointing out that the court had already granted sufficient time after the intervention of Advocate General Sudarshan Reddy to enable the Commissioner to comply with the directive.

During the hearing, the judge remarked that HYDRAA’s objective of safeguarding public lands and protecting government assets was both necessary and commendable. However, he emphasised that even agencies entrusted with protecting public property must function strictly within the legal framework and cannot ignore judicial orders while carrying out their duties. The court observed that enforcement actions, regardless of their intent, must always remain subject to the Constitution and the authority of the judiciary.

The High Court’s latest order follows its sharp observations during the previous hearing, when Justice Jukanti had warned that extraordinary measures might become necessary if the Commissioner continued to disregard court directives. At that hearing, the judge had even remarked that, if required, the Army could be called upon to ensure compliance with court orders. He had instructed the Registrar General of the High Court to establish contact with the senior-most Brigadier of the Army’s Bison Division and arrange for ten Army personnel to be stationed at the disputed property. The judge had further observed that, in an extreme scenario, the Commissioner could even be taken into Army custody and lodged in Army barracks if repeated violations continued.

Following those observations, Advocate General Sudarshan Reddy had assured the court that Commissioner Ranganath would fully comply with all judicial directions and submit a detailed affidavit. The court had subsequently directed that the affidavit should include an apology from the Commissioner acknowledging the lapses.

A.V. Ranganath, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, has led HYDRAA since its establishment by the Telangana government two years ago. The agency was created with the objective of protecting government land, reclaiming encroached public property and restoring lakes, nalas, parks and other environmentally sensitive assets across Hyderabad and surrounding areas.

According to HYDRAA, it has reclaimed and secured nearly 3,315 acres of government land valued at approximately ₹1.5 lakh crore during its two years of operation. The agency also claims to have restored several lakes, water bodies and other blue-green infrastructure while preventing large-scale encroachments on public land.

Despite these achievements, HYDRAA has faced sustained criticism from opposition parties and several affected residents, who have alleged that the agency has carried out demolition drives targeting houses built on government land without providing adequate safeguards or rehabilitation. The latest High Court observations have further intensified scrutiny over the agency’s functioning, with the judiciary making it clear that administrative efficiency cannot come at the cost of violating court orders and established legal procedures.

Team Maverick.