Single Judge Verdict Suspended as HYDRA Commissioner Challenges Dismissal

The Telangana High Court intervened on Tuesday to pause a single‑judge ruling that aimed to oust A.V. Rangnath from his role as Commissioner of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRA). Rangnath had approached the court on July 27, contesting the order that instructed the state to replace him.

A division bench, featuring former Himachal Pradesh Chief Justice Rajiv Shakdhar, heard the petition and, after preliminary arguments, placed a temporary hold on the removal order. The original directive was issued by Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti after a contempt petition by Santa Shriram Constructions Pvt Ltd, which claimed HYDRA officials entered its 40‑acre land in Lothkunta with a convoy of 50 vehicles and 200 workers, violating prior court orders.

The court had earlier described Rangnath as operating "on his own accord" and accused HYDRA of overstepping its mandate while neglecting revenue, irrigation, and GHMC responsibilities. In a prior hearing, the judge warned that repeated non‑compliance could lead to the commissioner being detained in an army barracks.

Rangnath also failed to file a mandated affidavit apologising for the unauthorized entry, prompting the bench to reaffirm the removal instruction. With 63 contempt cases pending against him over the last 18 months, Rangnath asserted his confidence in the judiciary and blamed powerful land mafias for filing the suits to hinder HYDRA's lake and land protection efforts.