Telangana High Court suspends order to replace HYDRAA Commissioner

The Telangana High Court has suspended a single-judge order that directed the replacement of A. V. Ranganath as the Commissioner of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA). The suspension is effective until November 3.

The original order, issued on July 27, had instructed the Chief Secretary to relieve Ranganath from his position and appoint a successor. This directive followed the rejection of an apology offered by Ranganath regarding contempt petitions filed by a real estate company. The company alleged that HYDRAA officers had repeatedly trespassed on its property in Lothukunta village.

In addition to the specific land dispute, the single judge noted that approximately 63 contempt cases are currently pending against the HYDRAA Commissioner. A division bench consisting of Justices P. Sam Koshy and Narsing Rao Nandikonda issued the stay on the replacement order.