HC goes ballistic over Telangana govt’s ‘bench hunting’

HYDERABAD: The Telangana high court on Tuesday found fault with advocates representing the state and farmers for making ‘a mountain out of a molehill’ by vying with each other on who should hear the AP farmers’ plea against Telangana’s hydel power generation.
The bench of Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B Vijaysen Reddy, while conveying its displeasure over the request made by the state government on Monday asking Justice MS Ramachandra Rao to recuse himself from hearing the case, however, minced no words in criticising the counsel for the farmers.
“You look no better. You rushed to the second division bench asking it to take up the matter on an urgent basis despite knowing the fact that there is an overlap in the subjects to be heard by the first and second courts respectively. What you have done too could be construed as bench hunting,” the bench said addressing senior counsel Vedula Venkata Ramana, who appeared for the farmers.
As per the roster, the subjects pertaining to rivers, irrigation projects, etc., fall under the purview of the bench headed by the CJ. Matters pertaining to disputes between the two states revolving around AP Reorganisation Act are allocated to the second division bench headed by Justice Ramachandra Rao.
The CJ said that there was an overlapping of subjects and the parties should have displayed maturity instead of rushing to baseless conclusions. “What vested interest will the courts have? Why do you adopt a confrontationist attitude? This is most unacceptable,” the CJ bench said.
CJ Kohli directed advocate general BS Prasad to withdraw the interim application filed by the state government asking Justice Ramachandra Rao to recuse himself from the hearing. “You should have pointed out the roster issue and leave things there instead of seeking recusal. It is most unbecoming on the part of the state of Telangana. It is in a bad taste,” the CJ said, addressing the AG.
She also found fault with Venkata Ramana for not allowing time to the registry to take a call on the issue. “Why did you not wait? Why did you rush to the second court? What is the hurry? Can’t you wait for some time,” the CJ bench asked.
When Venkata Ramana said he can wait for three or four days, the CJ said, “Then wait now.” The CJ is seized of the matter and is expected to take a decision in a day or two.
Meanwhile, upset with repeated requests from the state government asking him to recuse himself from the hearing, Justice Ramachandra Rao also expressed his displeasure over the attitude of the government.