Telangana High Court Orders Two-Week Deadline to Clear Footpaths in Hyderabad
The Telangana High Court has granted a two-week final deadline for authorities to clear encroached footpaths in Hyderabad. Additionally, the court has addressed the mismanagement of temple funds in Secunderabad and ordered a probe into child custody procedures.
Highlights
- •Telangana High Court gives authorities two weeks to clear footpaths in Hyderabad.
- •Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar emphasizes the need for immediate action against illegal encroachments.
- •Court mandates strict adherence to the Endowments Act for religious institutions in Secunderabad.
- •Division bench orders DLSA probe into procedural lapses regarding child custody and welfare.
The Telangana High Court has issued a stern directive regarding the urgent clearance of footpaths in Hyderabad, expressing significant disappointment over the slow progress of these efforts. Despite previous orders issued on May 4 to various civic bodies, including the GHMC, traffic police, and HYDRAA, the illegal occupation of pedestrian pathways remains a persistent issue in the city.
Court Sets Deadline for Footpath Clearance
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar has granted a final two-week window for authorities to complete the task and submit a comprehensive compliance report. The court emphasized that these enforcement measures must begin immediately, starting from the perimeter of the High Court premises and extending across the entire city. The ongoing public interest litigation highlights how encroachment forces citizens, including lawyers and litigants, to traverse busy roadways, posing significant safety risks.
The judiciary has previously instructed authorities to implement permanent protective measures to ensure footpaths in Hyderabad remain exclusive to pedestrians. Furthermore, the court has demanded stricter action against illegal parking that disrupts traffic flow. During the proceedings, the bench drew parallels to established Supreme Court rulings, which maintain that unauthorized structures and planning violations should not receive legal protection or regularisation. The judge stressed that such encroachments exacerbate traffic congestion and negatively impact the urban environment.
Legal Oversight on Religious Institutions and Child Custody
In a separate matter, Justice Lakshmi Narayana Alishetty of the Telangana High Court ruled that the Sri Kanyaka Parmeshwari Devasthana Sangam in Secunderabad must strictly adhere to the Endowments Act. The court addressed concerns regarding the alleged mismanagement of temple funds amounting to approximately ₹16 crore and directed the authorities to ensure transparent administration of religious properties.
Additionally, the court has intervened in a sensitive child welfare case. A Division Bench, led by Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G. M. Mohiuddin, expressed alarm over procedural lapses in the handling of a three-year-old child rescued from an alleged illegal adoption racket. The court has ordered the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) of Nalgonda and Suryapet to conduct an independent investigation. Significant gaps were identified in the social investigation reports, prompting the court to demand a thorough review of how protective custody cases are managed to ensure the welfare of children housed in institutions like Shishugruha.
