Prosecute corrupt GHMC staff: HC to Telangana

HYDERABAD: Taking a serious view of the negligence of the GHMC field officials and staff for allowing constructions to go far beyond the permitted levels, the Telangana high court on Tuesday directed the authorities to prosecute such officials and sought a report on the status of their action within one week.

The bench of Chief Justice T B Radhakrishnan and Justice A Rajasheker Reddy gave this direction while hearing a plea filed by Gottimukkala Nageswara Rao and G Narasinga Rao of Kukatpalli who wanted the court to protect their buildings from being demolished.

A single judge earlier heard this matter and observed that GHMC is purposefully failing the laws and referred the matter to the Chief Justice. The bench headed by CJ turned furious after seeing the facts of the case. If the hands at the top are greased then the hands at the bottom could be creamed, it said.

"We are amazed to see that Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) granted a permit for construction of a two-storied building and ultimately the structure grew up to a five-storied one." The three floors on the top of the permitted two floors are, according to GHMC, unauthorized.

"It may be easily said that GHMC officials have initiated proceedings by issuing statutory notices to show cause and also for demolition. But, how did the officers and the staff under their command permit such illegal constructions to happen after the second floor right under their nose? If it is their case that GHMC does not have the competence or supervisory ability and control even over the subordinate officers to ensure eyes and ears of the watch and ward of the municipal area, namely, the ground staff and the supervisory as well as the superior officers, what is the action GHMC top levels would take against them?" the bench asked.

The provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, provide very many deeming provisions thereby elaborating definition of “corruption” so that the provisions of that Act reach out to all in conflict with such law. There are also clear provisions in the Indian Penal Code and other penal laws which point fingers of penalty as against the officers who are in conflict with their duties and responsibilities in terms of statutory provisions and also public duties of Government servants and public servants. "What would the GHMC do with such people in their service in cases of this nature where dereliction of duty, gross breach of supervisory and trusteeship is shown to happen?" the bench sought to know.

The case was posted to March 5.