Telangana government loses 40-acre land appeal due to filing delay

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed an appeal by the Telangana government regarding a 40-acre land dispute in Lothukunta, Medchal-Malkajgiri district. The dismissal was based on a technicality rather than the merits of the case, as the Special Leave Petition (SLP) was filed 219 days after the Telangana High Court order, exceeding the mandatory 90-day limitation period.

The dispute involves prime land claimed by Shantha Sriram Constructions Pvt. Ltd. as private property. The company previously alleged that the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and other government departments interfered with its possession of the land. An earlier High Court ruling held that the state could not use summary proceedings to settle title disputes and directed that the company's possession should not be interfered with unless the state established title through a civil court.

Reports suggest the delay in filing the appeal resulted from administrative lapses within the Medchal-Malkajgiri district revenue authorities and the Advocate-General’s office. The land in question is estimated to be worth at least ₹4,000 crore.