Archive · 3 Sep 2026
High Court Temporarily Halts Dispossession for Musi Riverfront Project
Four land-owners asked the Telangana High Court to protect their property.
The government wants to acquire their land for a Musi riverfront project.
The land covers about 9.08 acres.
The owners said officials did not properly consider their objections.
They also said required legal steps were not followed.
The government asked for time to respond and said it would follow the required procedures.
The court temporarily stopped the government from removing the owners from their land.
The government must submit its response within two weeks.
The Telangana High Court barred the State government from dispossessing four land-owners for two weeks.
The petitioners are challenging acquisition of 9.08¾ acres for the 55-km Musi River Development Front project.
Their land is located in Dargah Khaliz Khan village, Gandipet mandal, Ranga Reddy district.
The land-owners argued that their objections were ignored and mandatory acquisition safeguards were not followed.
The government must file its counter within two weeks, after which the court will consider the challenge.
- Who
- Four land-owners, including I Prabhakar Reddy, and the Telangana State government are involved.
- What
- The Telangana High Court temporarily restrained the government from dispossessing the land-owners while they challenge the proposed acquisition.
- When
- The order was issued on Wednesday and applies until the government files its counter within two weeks.
- Where
- The disputed land is in Dargah Khaliz Khan village, Gandipet mandal, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana.
- Why
- The land-owners allege that their objections were not considered and that mandatory land-acquisition procedures were not followed.
Land-owners' Challenge
Government's Position
Acquisition process
Land-owners' Challenge
The land-owners said their objections to the proposed acquisition were not considered, indicating non-application of mind.
Government's Position
The Additional Advocate-General opposed interim relief, sought time to file the government’s counter, and assured the court that mandatory procedures would be followed.
Statutory safeguards
Land-owners' Challenge
The petitioners argued that requirements including Social Impact Assessment and other safeguards under the 2013 land-acquisition law were not followed.
Government's Position
The government maintained that the required procedures would be followed, but its detailed response had not yet been filed.
Land's location
Land-owners' Challenge
The petitioners said the property lies in a bio-conservation zone about half a kilometre from Himayatsagar reservoir.
Government's Position
The government opposed immediate court relief but assured that the petitioners would not be dispossessed while it responded.
- Land under challenge
- 9.08¾ acres
- Project
- 55-km Musi River Development Front project
- Project route
- From Gandipet to Gowrelly through 46 villages in 14 mandals
- Affected districts
- Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri
- Court
- Telangana High Court
- Interim protection
- No dispossession for two weeks
- Government deadline
- Counter-affidavit to be filed within two weeks