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HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has successfully protected over 1,000 acres of public land and water bodies valued at around Rs 55,000 crore. However, it is currently facing an overwhelming wave of legal challenges.
In just 15 months since its formation, HYDRAA has been subjected to nearly 700 lawsuits, primarily from alleged encroachers and land grabbers contesting its demolition and anti-encroachment efforts. Notably, Commissioner AV Ranganath is himself confronting 31 contempt petitions.
Officials indicated to TOI that many petitioners are employing high-profile lawyers from Delhi, reportedly spending up to Rs 5 lakh per hour for court appearances. To address this influx of cases, HYDRAA has established a specialized legal team consisting of nine advocates to represent the agency in the Telangana high court and various district courts.
Numerous petitioners claim that HYDRAA has exceeded its legal boundaries during operations. “The allegations suggest that we have ignored court orders by modifying the limits of water bodies or building embankments. Some have even accused the agency of blackmail, which is entirely unfounded,” an official involved in the cases stated.
One significant case involves four contempt petitions filed against Ranganath regarding the demolition of a four-kilometer illegal wall surrounding 200 acres in Pocharam municipality. In another instance, three contempt petitions were submitted following the demolition of a convention center in Gachibowli, which allegedly encroached on 20 acres of government land.
Despite facing mounting legal challenges, officials remain resolute. “We have total confidence in the judiciary. These cases are part and parcel of the challenges we face while enforcing the law. Every governing body, from administration to judiciary, understands our objectives and the rationale behind these demolitions,” Ranganath remarked to TOI.
HYDRAA emphasizes that it operates strictly within the legal framework and under governmental directives aimed at protecting Hyderabad’s natural and public resources. “We only take action against those who encroach upon public or environmental assets for personal gain,” another official noted, assuring that no residential properties established before July 2024 will be impacted. In unavoidable eviction scenarios, the agency has committed to referring such cases to the government for potential compensation or rehabilitation.
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