HYDERABAD: The Telangana high court on Friday refused to grant interim relief to a businessman from Bagh Amberpet who claimed ownership of seven acres of land at Bathukamma Kunta lake. The state govt opposed his plea, prompting the court to direct him to approach the vacation bench.
A division bench comprising Justices Moushumi Bhattacharya and BR Madhusudhan Rao issued the direction while hearing a civil miscellaneous appeal filed by the petitioner, A Sudhakar Reddy.

Reddy’s counsel said the HC had earlier granted temporary protection to the petitioner for a few months. However, since the matter is civil in nature, the court had disposed of the previous petition, granting him liberty to seek remedy before the trial court.
Dissatisfied with the trial court’s refusal to grant any relief, Reddy once again approached the HC. His counsel alleged that govt authorities had encroached upon the land, claiming it as part of a lake, and had begun excavation work.
“The petitioner is in peaceful possession of the land, yet the authorities are obstructing him from carrying out any activity. Moreover, HYDRAA is demolishing any construction undertaken on the site,” Reddy’s counsel told the court.
In response, the state’s counsel contended that it was the petitioner who had encroached upon the Bathukamma Kunta lake, filled it with debris, and initiated illegal construction.
“The petitioner is not in lawful possession of the land. The govt is in the process of clearing the area and restoring the lake. Granting interim relief at this stage would cause significant loss to the state, which has already commenced restoration work at the site,” the state said.