Justice A. Ramalingeswar Rao of the Hyderabad High Court pulled up the officers of the State government for not preferring an appeal in a case related to protection of a tank and called for introspection by the government.
The judge dismissed the writ petition filed by the Chittoor Collector. The Collector claimed that the tank, Eguvacheruvu, in Kasiraopeta village in Madanapalle revenue mandal had disappeared. He contended that this happened due to the illegal issuance of the ‘rytwari patta’ and sought cancellation of the proceedings issued by various authorities, including the tribunal, in this regard.
The judge found that there was a decree in favour of the farmers who claimed this land, which the Collector had claimed to be tank poramboke. The decree of the civil court issued in 1993 was not challenged in time by the officers. ‘This fact was reportedly suppressed by the Collector in this writ petition.’
‘Can’t revive’
The judge said the tank could not be revived at this stage.
The judge went on to say, “This Court, in spite of its anxiety to do justice, cannot go to that extent in the name of extraordinary jurisdiction. Thus, this Court could only do a post mortem. It cannot give life to the dead tank. The cause of death is known. The killers are left scot free. The beneficiaries have the last laugh. This Writ Petition shows the sorry state of affairs in the conduct of Government cases by the officers and the Law Officer engaged by the Government.”
The judge concluded by saying, “This Writ Petition appears to have been filed only to secure approval from this Court for the irregularities already committed. The facts clearly show the urgent need for the government to think over the issue relating to protection of lands rightly belonging to the Government. The supervision by the Joint Collectors and District Collectors require to be strengthened.”