HYDERABAD: Expressing its strong disapproval for “blatant violation of rules” Justice T Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday ordered the demolition of a BRS party office in Nalgonda which was constructed illegally.
The court gave the BRS 15 days to demolish the office on its own and directed it to pay Rs 1 lakh to the District Legal Services Authority, Nalgonda, within four weeks as penalty.
Justice Kumar also expressed strong disapproval, stating that the BRS, when in power, formulated rules only to blatantly violate them.
He made it clear that the law was applicable equally to both common citizens and political parties.
Attempt to regularise illegal office criticised
The judge also took the BRS to task for constructing the office on a one-acre plot of land in Nalgonda without the necessary approvals and then attempting to regularise the building later through the Building Regularisation Scheme (BRS).
Counsel appearing for the party faced harsh criticism from the judge for repeatedly seeking an exemption from paying the Rs 1 lakh fine. Justice Kumar rejected these requests, pointing to the financial strength of the BRS as one of the prominent regional parties in the country, and affirmed that the penalty was justified.
The judge was hearing a writ petition filed by Ramavath Ravinder Kumar representing the BRS, challenging the notice issued by the Municipal Commissioner of Nalgonda on July 20, 2024 ordering the removal of the unauthorised office within 15 days.
The BRS party office, built on a one-acre site in Nalgonda village and mandal, occupies Survey Nos. 1,498 and 1,506. Controversy surrounds the land allocation, as the BRS, while in power, had issued GO No. 167 dated August 16, 2018, and GO No. 66 Revenue (Assn-1) department dated June 21, 2019) for the land’s use, allegedly in violation of existing regulations.
Will move SC if needed, says Bhupal Reddy
Meanwhile, confirming that the BRS will appeal the high court’s order to demolish its Nalgonda office, former MLA K Bhupal Reddy said that the party was ready to approach the Supreme Court if necessary. Alleging that no party office in the state had obtained permissions, Bhupal Reddy accused the Congress-led government of focusing on destruction rather than construction.
It may be mentioned here that Nalgonda MLA and R&B Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has taken a firm stance on the issue. The BRS party office was constructed on an acre of land that was originally allotted to Agro Industries. In 2017, the BRS government allocated the land to the district party office, with the party paying Rs 4,84,000 in June 2019 based on the government rate of Rs 100 per yard.