Hyderabad: In a significant order with far-reaching implications for the functioning of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), the Telangana High Court has directed the Chief Secretary to relieve 1995 batch IPS officer A.V. Ranganath from his position as Commissioner of the agency and appoint a suitable replacement.
The order came on Monday (July 27) while the court was hearing a batch of contempt petitions relating to HYDRAA’s alleged violation of judicial directions during operations on a disputed land parcel at Lothkunta in Secunderabad.
High Court Expresses Serious Concern
Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti passed the order after expressing dissatisfaction with the apology submitted by A.V. Ranganath in connection with the contempt proceedings.
The court observed that it was inappropriate for a senior IPS officer heading a key state agency to be facing as many as 63 contempt cases during his tenure of nearly one-and-a-half years as HYDRAA Commissioner.
Taking serious note of the repeated allegations, the judge directed the Chief Secretary to relieve Ranganath from the post and appoint another officer to head the agency.
Contempt Cases Linked to Lothkunta Land Dispute
The contempt petitions arose from allegations that HYDRAA officials repeatedly entered and interfered with a 40-acre disputed land parcel in Lothkunta, despite existing court orders restraining such action.
The petitions were filed by Shanta Sriram Constructions, which alleged that HYDRAA officials damaged the property during enforcement operations even though the matter was already under judicial consideration.
The dispute itself dates back to 2016.
According to the company, it derives ownership from a purchase made in 1955, supported by revenue records and subsequent mutations. The Telangana government, however, maintains that the land belongs to the State, relying on entries in the 1937 General Land Register.
Court Had Earlier Directed Army to Secure the Land
The latest order comes days after the High Court made strong observations regarding the handling of the dispute.
Recently, Justice Anil Kumar directed the Indian Army to secure the disputed land, stating that the court had lost confidence in the State government and its agencies to ensure compliance with judicial orders.
Subsequently, on July 24, the court directed A.V. Ranganath to file an affidavit containing an unconditional apology and explain HYDRAA’s actions despite the judicial restraint orders.
Although the Commissioner submitted an apology, the court remained unconvinced and has now ordered his replacement.
HYDRAA’s Role and Growing Controversy
HYDRAA was established by the Telangana government in 2024 to protect government land, lakes and public assets from encroachments in Hyderabad and surrounding areas.
The agency has been credited with reclaiming substantial tracts of government land through demolition and anti-encroachment drives.
However, it has also attracted criticism from opposition parties, activists and property owners, who have alleged that demolition drives were conducted without adequate notice and that the agency was selectively targeting political opponents of the ruling Congress government.
Government Yet to Act on Court Direction
The High Court has now formally directed the Chief Secretary to relieve A.V. Ranganath from the post of HYDRAA Commissioner and appoint a suitable replacement.
The State government is expected to comply with the court’s directions and initiate the process of appointing a new Commissioner to head the agency.
The matter remains under judicial scrutiny, with the contempt proceedings continuing alongside the long-pending ownership dispute over the Lothkunta land.
About IPS Officer A.V. Ranganath
A.V. Ranganath is a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1995 batch from the Telangana cadre. During his policing career, he has held several important assignments, including Commissioner of Police and senior positions in law enforcement and investigation. In 2024, he was appointed Commissioner of the newly created Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), where he led large-scale anti-encroachment and land protection drives across Hyderabad. His tenure at HYDRAA, while marked by aggressive enforcement, also witnessed multiple legal challenges and contempt petitions relating to alleged violations of court orders.
Read also: Telangana High Court Dismisses LS Chowhan’s Challenge to IPS Promotion Process
