IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) MONDAY, THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE PRESENT THE HON'BLE SRI DEVINDER GUPTA,THE CHIEF JUSTICE and THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.NARAYANA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO : 7480 of 1999 Between: The Paper report Published in the "Eenadu" Telugu Daily News paper dt: 1-4-1999, an Article Under the Caption of Rowdy Sheeters Paharalo Mayamouthunna Mamidikunta ..... PETITIONER AND 1The R.D.O., Rajendra Nagar (M), Ranga Reddy Dist. 2The M.R.O., Rajendra Nagar (M), Ranga Reddy Dist. 3The Executive Officer, Irrigation Dept., Panchayat Raj Dept., R.R. Dist. 4The Dist. Panchayat Officer, Panchayat Raj Dept., R.R. Dist. 5The District Collector, Ranga Reddy Dist. 6The Secretary to the Govt. Revenue Dept., Secretariat, Hyderabad 7The Secretary to Govt. Irrigation Dept., Secretariat, Hyderabad 8The Secretary to Govt. Panchayat Raj Dept., Secretariat, Hyderabad 9The Superintendent of Police R.R. Dist. .....RESPONDENT(S) Petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the Affidavit filed herein the High Court will be pleased to issue an order direction or a writ, more particularly one in the nature of writ of Mandamus calling for remarks of the concerned authorities pertaining to the illegal activities of the Land Grabbers (rowdy Sheeters) in trying to grab the "Mamidikunta" water tank located under the Rajendranagar Limits in Sy.No.247 of Gaganpahad (V) with 40 Acres of irrigated Land being sold illegally by Land Grabbers and to declare the action of the revenue authorities 1) in colluding with the Land grabbers and tampering the Revenue Records, indirectly helping the Land Grabbers 2) in not taking any action with regard to illegal transaction done by the Rowdy Sheeters in converting the tanks into plots for sale; 3) in not protecting the water pools and tanks situated in the outskirts of the city grabbed by the Rowdy Sheeters due to raising of Land prices as illegal and arbitrary in spite of the representations made by the Gaganpahad people and necessary action is required in the above matter in protecting the 'Mamidikunta' Water tank by issuing necessary directions to the concerned Revenue authorities for taking necessary steps to save the said tank from the hands of the Land Grabbers; and to pass such other order or orders as this Hon'ble court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case. Counsel for the Petitioner: None: Taken-up PETITION Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR REVENUE The Court made the following Oral Order : (per Sri Devinder Gupta,CJ) This petition was taken up on the basis of a paper report published in Eenadu Telugu Daily on 1.4.1999 that rowdy sheeters were trying to grab “Mamidikunta” Water tank located under the Rajendranagar limits in Survey No. 247 of Gaganpahad Village, with 40 acres of irrigated land. Learned counsel for the respondents has handed over to us the remarks received from the Collector, Ranga Reddy District in his letter dated 8.4.1999, wherein it was stated that on receipt of intimation about the damage of irrigation source, spot inspection has been conducted by the Mandal Revenue Officer, Rajendranagar on 22.3.1999 and enquiry was caused. As a result of enquiry, work was stopped and village servants were kept at the site for watch and ward. It is stated that cases were also registered against the culprits under Section 7(1) of Criminal Law Amendment Act and under Sections 427,447,353 and 506 of I.P.C., in Crime No. 154 of 1999. The Collector has also stated that all steps are being taken to safeguard the irrigation source. We take the statement of Collector, Ranga Reddy District on record and will proceed to close the writ petition with direction that adequate steps will continue to be taken to safeguard the irrigation source and, in case, any effort is made to encroach upon the land, the culprits will be duly dealt with in accordance with law. The writ petition is accordingly closed. ____________________ DEVINDER GUPTA, CJ Date: 17th January, 2005 _______________________ M. NARAYANA REDDY,J pnb To 1 The Revenue Divisional Officer, Rajendra Nagar (M), Ranga Reddy Dist. 2 The Mandal Revenue Officer, Rajendra Nagar (M), Ranga Reddy Dist. 3 The Executive Officer, Irrigation Dept., Panchayat Raj Dept., R.R. Dist. 4 The Dist. Panchayat Officer, Panchayat Raj Dept., R.R. Dist. 5 The District Collector, Ranga Reddy Dist. 6 The Secretary to the Govt. Revenue Dept., Secretariat, Hyderabad 7 The Secretary to Govt. Irrigation Dept., Secretariat, Hyderabad 8 The Secretary to Govt., Panchayat Raj Dept., Secretariat, Hyderabad 9 The Superintendent of Police, R.R. Dist. 10 Two C.Cs. to the Government Pleader for Revenue, High Court Buildings, Hyderabad. (OUT) 11 Two C.D. copies