Telangana HC Seeks State’s Response Over Missing Minor Girl

A two judge bench of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday sought the response of the State to allegations of police inaction in tracing a missing minor girl, while questioning whether a writ of habeas corpus was the appropriate remedy in the circumstances. The bench comprising Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya and Justice Renuka Yara, is hearing a writ petition seeking the production of petitioner’s minor daughter, who was allegedly abducted by a neighbour for the second time.

Counsel for the petitioner contended that the unofficial respondent was previously implicated in a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and allegedly abducted the girl again after being released on bail.

The petitioner sought a direction to the authorities to trace the child and produce her before the court. Speaking for the bench, Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya observed that a writ of habeas corpus might not be the appropriate remedy and indicated that the petitioner could pursue other remedies available in law.

In response, counsel submitted that an FIR was already registered in connection with the alleged abduction, but the police took no effective steps to trace the minor. The Government Pleader sought time to obtain instructions from the concerned authorities. The bench accordingly posted the matter to November 1 for further hearing.

CI gets four weeks’ jail for defying HC order

Justice C. V. Bhaskar Reddy of the Telangana High Court sentenced M. Prem Kumar, Circle Inspector of Police, Miyapur Police Station, to four weeks of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 2,000 for wilfully disobeying court orders directing police assistance to protect the possession of landowners at Hafeezpet in Ranga Reddy district.

The judge allowed a contempt case filed by A. Shekhar Babu and seven others, alleging deliberate disobedience of judicial directions concerning police protection for their property.

The petitioners claimed ownership of 700 square yards in Survey No. 78 (part), Hafeezpet Village, under a registered sale deed. They obtained a decree of permanent injunction in 2013, which the appellate court affirmed in 2019.

By an order dated August 20, 2019, the High Court directed the Station House Officer of Miyapur Police Station to provide police assistance to implement the injunction decree. Alleging continued interference with their possession and failure of the police to provide effective protection, the petitioners approached the court again in 2023.

The respondent contended that he assumed charge as Station House Officer only on July 13, 2023, and became aware of the earlier order when the petitioners brought it to his notice on November 7, 2023. He stated that he visited the property with his staff and instructed those present to stop construction activity. He also tendered an unconditional apology.

Rejecting the explanation and declining to accept the apology, the judge observed that the respondent was required to take effective steps to implement the subsisting judicial directions once they were brought to his notice. The judge held that the respondent authority wilfully and deliberately disobeyed its orders, thereby committing civil contempt.

HC seeks TGPSC response over AEE exam date clash

Justice K. Sarath of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TGPSC) to file its response in a writ petition challenging the scheduling of Assistant Executive Engineer (Civil) examination, which overlaps with the Staff Selection Commission Junior Engineer examination. The judge is hearing a writ petition filed by Uradi Satheesh and six other candidates.

The petitioner would contend that the TGPSC computer-based examination, scheduled for November 06 and 07, clashes with the SSC examination scheduled from November 2 to 6. The petitioners sought postponement of the TGPSC examination to provide a minimum gap of one week after the conclusion of the SSC examination, allowing candidates appearing for both examinations adequate time to travel and prepare. 

- L Ravichander