Permission for TJAC meet: HC to pronounce verdict tomorrow

HYDERABAD: Arguments concluded in the High Court on Monday on the two petitions filed separately by TJAC chairman M Kodandaram and co-convener Venkat Reddy, seeking court’s direction to the police to grant permission for conducting Koluvula Kai Kotlata (fight for jobs) at Nizam College grounds, NTR Stadium, Saroornagar Indoor Stadium or any open ground between LB Nagar and Uppal road. The court will pronounce its order on Wednesday (Nov 8).

Pursuant to an earlier direction of the court, special counsel for Telangana S Sharath Kumar placed the records before justice SV Bhatt dealing with the two petitions pertaining to police rejecting TJAC application for permission to conduct the above meeting. He submitted that the police would reconsider Saroornagar outdoor stadium as possible venue upon application for the same as NTR Stadium and Nizam College grounds are situated closer to the state legislative Assembly and that the NTR Stadium was in some litigation.

Disputing these submissions, senior counsel L Ravi Chander, appearing for one of the petitioners, submitted that Saroornagar indoor stadium officials agreed to conduct of the meeting at the stadium. Pointing out that the police were denying permission on some ground or the other, he urged the court to direct the state to formulate some guidelines as many political parties and other organisations approach the police to get permission for holding meetings but the police were keeping their applications till the last minute and then rejecting them. 

The senior counsel contended that the state government had been selectively targeting the TJAC by not granting it any permission. In fact, religious events were taking place at NTR Stadium and a political meeting was also held at the same place in the recent past, he pointed out.

Advocate B Rachna Reddy, appearing for another petitioner, pointed out that there was selective granting of permission for meetings at NTR Stadium. Irrespective of the Assembly being in session, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy’s meeting was allowed at the stadium, she said and urged the court to direct the police to permit the petitioners to conduct the proposed meeting at NTR Stadium or at Nizam College grounds. On the other hand, the special counsel said that the police cannot permit the meetings at NTR Stadium or Nizam College grounds.

PIL on Kaleshwaram
Hyderabad: A public interest litigation petition was filed in Hyderabad High Court seeking CBI probe into the alleged escalation of cost of Kaleshwaram project due to redesigning and reengineering. The petitioner is E Anil Kumar, former MLA. The matter is expected to come up for hearing on Tuesday.