Justice NV Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court on Monday ordered three IAS officers, Rahul Bojja, Sandeep Kumar Sulthania and Lokesh Kumar, to appear before the court on February 2 in a series of contempt of court cases related to the payment of compensation to persons whose land was acquired for the Shankarsamudram reservoir in Wanaparthy district.
Nearly 60 farmers, whose land was acquired for the construction of the reservoir, filed contempt pleas saying the officers had knowingly disobeyed the Supreme Court’s orders issued eight months ago to pay 50% of the compensation awarded by the court. In 2023, the lower court in Wanaparty issued orders that decided the amount of compensation to be paid to the landowners.
After the officials moved the HC challenging the lower court order, an order was issued to deposit 50% of the amount decided by the lower court. Although eight months have passed, no action has been taken in this matter.
When the government counsel sought time to file a counter-affidavit that he had not received any file in the matter from the irrigation department, the judge sought to know how further land acquisition could be done when no money was paid to the persons whose land had already been acquired.
The judge directed the three top officials to appear before the court in person on February 2 and issued Form I notices to them.
Published – 19 Jan 2026 20:59 IST
