The Supreme Court came down heavily on the Telangana Congress government over the controversial handling of 100 acres of land near Hyderabad Central University (HCU), widely referred to as the Kanch-Gachibowli lands. On April 16, the apex court expressed strong concern over the felling of trees without requisite permissions and the blatant disregard for environmental norms.
A bench led by Justice B.R. Gavai questioned whether any permissions were secured before bulldozers were deployed to clear the forested area. Citing its 1996 environmental guidelines, the court demanded the government clarify if these were adhered to. “If even a single step was taken in violation of our orders, we will not sit silently,” warned Justice Gavai.
The court rejected the state’s attempt to justify the destruction, insisting that the government present a concrete plan to restore the lost forest area, detailing timelines and steps to conserve flora and fauna. “If you want to protect your Chief Secretary from serious action, show us how you will restore the 100 acres,” Justice Gavai added, calling the midnight bulldozing during holidays “suspicious and rushed.”
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Telangana government, argued that the clearances were made under the WALTA Act and that only scrub trees and bushes were removed. However, the court was unconvinced.
The Amicus Curiae informed the court that the land was mortgaged for a staggering Rs 10,000 crore, as per a CEC report. The bench brushed aside financial justifications, reiterating that “our primary concern is environmental compliance, not mortgage deals.”
Adding to the criticism, senior counsel Niranjan Reddy noted the irreparable damage caused to wildlife and questioned the state’s claim of building an “eco-friendly IT park” after destroying natural habitats.
The court issued interim orders directing the Telangana government to submit a detailed restoration plan within four weeks and maintain a strict status quo until further hearing on May 15.
It also warned that any obstruction to restoration could lead to temporary jail time for officials involved.
In a stinging final note, the court instructed the Wildlife Department to initiate immediate steps to safeguard displaced wildlife, emphasizing that not a single additional tree should be felled in the interim.
The HCU Kancha Gachibowli land issue involves a dispute over 400 acres of land near Hyderabad Central University (HCU). The Telangana government claims ownership, planning to auction the land for an IT park, citing legal rulings from 2022 and 2024. However, HCU students and environmentalists protest, arguing the land is ecologically sensitive, hosting diverse flora and fauna. They demand its protection as a national park.
