HYDRAA officials absent, HC judge recuses from Durgam Cheruvu encroachment case

Hyderabad: Telangana high court on Thursday expressed strong displeasure with govt officials, particularly those from the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), for failing to assist the court in cases involving alleged encroachment of govt land. The court even observed whether Durgam Cheruvu lake itself should be auctioned, reflecting its concern over the handling of such matters.Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti made the remarks while hearing a criminal petition filed by BRS Dubbak MLA Kotha Prabhakar Reddy. The petition seeks to quash a criminal case registered against him at Madhapur police station in Dec 2025 for allegedly encroaching on about five acres of Durgam Cheruvu lake. The judge said that neither HYDRAA officials nor their counsel were present in court to assist in the matter. Expressing displeasure, Justice Jukanti said he would not hear the petitioner's counsel in the absence of the agency responsible for protecting govt assets and recused himself from hearing the case. Plea before CJ's benchWhen R Chandrashekar Reddy, counsel for the petitioner, argued that the disputed land was legally purchased and requested that the matter be heard on Thursday itself, the judge reiterated his displeasure. He then directed the high court registry to place the petition before the Chief Justice's bench for listing before an appropriate bench. During the previous hearing on Jan 6, Justice Jukanti had made strong observations on the alleged encroachment of Durgam Cheruvu and directed the additional public prosecutor to obtain instructions in the matter by the next hearing. The criminal case was registered against Prabhakar Reddy and another accused, Venkat Reddy, based on a complaint filed by a HYDRAA official. The complaint alleges that the accused encroached upon lake land, filled it with soil and stones, and used the encroached area for commercial purposes since 2014.