The petitioner submits a vital document on the illegal constructions of Salkam cheruvu
The Education Ministry on Friday informed Supreme Court Justice NV Shravan Kumar that the school run by Fatima Educational Institute at Patelnagar in Bandlaguda adjoining Salkam cheruvu in Hyderabad had no permission from him.
Appearing in a writ petition seeking to remove illegal encroachments in the Full Tank Level (FTL) area of Salkam cheruvu, counsel for the department said that the premises were being used for the facilitation/accommodation of students who were studying in other educational institutions which had obtained government permission.
The petition was filed by HC advocate Vijay Gopal seeking various reliefs – including the removal of all structures (buildings of educational institutions) that were built illegally in the FTL area of Salkam cheruvu. Counsel for the Irrigation Department informed the bench that they had received instructions from the superiors to conduct the FTL survey again.
The bench sought to find out from the counsel why a fresh survey was necessary when the authorities had already defined the FTL area of the river body. Meanwhile, the petitioner and advocate Vijay Gopal submitted documents before the bench to support his contention that the total area of the water body was around 36 acres and belonged to the government.
The counsel told the court that he had secured a copy of the ‘pahani’ from the revenue department of the Bandlaguda Tehsildar office, which clearly stated that the 36 acres of land covering the Salkam cheruvu belonged to the government. He insisted that HYDRAA officials should act on the matter based on the facts.
HYDRAA’s counsel informed the court that it has not yet received information and full details from all government departments involved in the matter.
Justice NV Shravan Kumar, who ordered the authorities to conduct an inquiry against all the erring officials who failed to check the construction of buildings for the educational institution with FTL area of the water body, posted the hearing for decision on July 9.
Published – 04 Jul 2026 0:28 IST