Telangana HC orders HYDRAA chief’s ‘immediate’ removal

Telangana High Court ordered immediate removal of senior IPS officer A V Ranganath as HYDRAA commissioner for contempt of court.

Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti held Ranganath guilty of repeatedly ignoring court directions, citing 63 pending contempt cases against him.

The order stemmed from a contempt petition over a 40-acre land dispute in Secunderabad where HYDRAA officials entered despite judicial restraint.

The court noted HYDRAA had no statutory powers but was superseding government departments, calling Ranganath 'a law unto himself'.

Chief secretary Sanjay Jaju was directed to appoint a replacement who would uphold rule of law and comply with judicial orders.