Bathukamma Kunta in Amberpet, Hyderabad. File | Photo credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
The Telangana High Court on Friday (January 23) warned HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath against playing with the court while hearing the contempt of court case against him in the Bathukammakunta case.
Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Gadi Praveen Kumar issued this verbal warning towards the end of the hearing before adjourning the contempt matter to February 6. The court told special government pleader Swaroop Orill, appearing as HYDRAA commissioner, to be careful while dealing with the court. “Please tell him. They are sure… you can play to the gallery… you can play to the public…. but not where the court is concerned…,” Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya said.
The bench was hearing a contempt of court suit filed by 57-year-old A. Sudhakar Reddy of Bagh Amberpet, arising out of a civil miscellaneous appeal, in which he was claiming rights to lands forming part of Bathukammakunta. He alleged that the HYDRAA commissioner made changes to the land by constructing some structures despite the HC order to maintain the status quo.
On Friday, the petitioner’s counsel handed over a pen containing the speech delivered by the HYDRAA Commissioner at the Bathukammakunta festival on the occasion of the Sankranthi festival to the bench. The defense lawyer argued that the speech violated the restraining orders of the HC. The bench on Friday recalled that during the previous hearing, AV Ranganath had appeared before the bench and tendered an unconditional apology for his actions in the contempt case related to Bathukammakunta land claims and counterclaims.
The HYDRAA Commissioner, who participated in the kite festival program convened at Bathukammakunta, said that this land will be built at par with other lakes. The bench expressed displeasure with the commissioner’s speech despite the HC’s strict directions on the matter. He directed the commissioner to file a counter-affidavit by January 30.
Published – 23 Jan 2026 21:07 IST
