Hyderabad: The state govt on Thursday informed the Telangana high court that there are no constructions within the Full Tank Level (FTL) area of Salkam Cheruvu at Bandlaguda. It also stated that a ring bund had been constructed around the lake under the Mission Kakatiya lake rejuvenation programme.The submission came during the hearing of a petition filed by advocate Vijay Gopal, who alleged that authorities, particularly HYDRAA, had failed to act against the Barrister Fatima Owaisi Educational Campus KG PG, allegedly located within Salkam Cheruvu. The institution is run by the Salar E Millat Educational Trust, founded by AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi.The education department informed the court that the institution had applied for permission to run a school only in Dec 2025 and had not provided details regarding permissions for previous years. During an earlier hearing, the department had stated that the institution lacked the required approvals to operate educational institutions and that the premises were currently being used to accommodate students from other institutions.After examining the lake’s FTL contour map produced by additional advocate General Mohd Imran Khan, Justice NV Shravan Kumar asked whether the map had been uploaded to the HMDA website. The judge also questioned why the district collector had not yet submitted the report on the lake’s FTL.The court further questioned the HYDRAA commissioner, who also serves as chairman of the Lake Protection Committee (LPC), over the steps taken to safeguard the lake.“Fixing FTLs is in your domain. What have you done so far? What is this selective job? The entire team of revenue, irrigation, panchayat and other departments is part of your committee,” the judge observed.Justice Shravan Kumar remarked that HYDRAA possessed sufficient powers under the LPC to protect lakes and questioned why some lakes had been formally notified while others had not. He said such selective action created a public perception that the govt was being “picky and choosy” under local influence.The judge also questioned the GHMC for failing to clarify whether any building permissions had been granted for structures in the area. He observed that the issue extended beyond Salkam Cheruvu and reflected broader concerns regarding constructions around lakes.Appearing in person, petitioner Vijay Gopal challenged the ownership claims of the Salar E Millat Educational Trust over the land. He argued that while the trust claimed ownership through a settlement deed executed in 2017, it had submitted a Building Regularisation Scheme (BRS) application in 2016.“How is this possible?” he asked, urging the court to implead the CBI and the Union home ministry to ensure a fair and transparent investigation.Counsel for the Salar E Millat Educational Trust objected, contending that frivolous petitions were being filed.Responding to the objection, Justice Shravan Kumar said the court would not entertain frivolous litigation but added that matters involving the environment, water bodies and natural resources could not be ignored.The judge also directed the additional advocate general to inform the court whether the state had implemented the Supreme Court’s guidelines laid down in the bulldozer demolition judgment and to file a report before the next hearing.Observing that there was still no clarity regarding the preliminary reports submitted by the authorities or the existence of structures within the tank area, the court directed all respondent departments to file detailed counter-affidavits within three weeks. The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 30.Highlighting the broader significance of the case, Justice Shravan Kumar remarked that although the petition concerned only one lake, the issue affected all lakes and water bodies that required protection.“Hyderabad was once known as the City of Lakes. Let us bring it back,” the judge said, adding, “Please ensure that this water body is fully restored—not just this one, but all lakes.”He also observed that the state govt had taken a bold stand on protecting lakes and said the initiative deserved appreciation.
