Hyderabad: Telangana high court will hear on March 23 a petition challenging the demolition of houses allegedly built on Bhoodan land in Velugumatla village in Khammam district.The plea was filed by a group of 20 daily wage workers who claimed their homes were demolished by authorities on Feb 24. Though the matter did not come up for hearing due to paucity of time, Justice B Vijaysen Reddy took note of the case after it was mentioned by the petitioners’ counsel and indicated that it would be heard in detail on March 24. The petitioners, residents of Gotilla Park in Khanapuram Haveli urban of Khammam, said they were aggrieved by the action of the Telangana Bhoodan Yagna Board, which demolished structures located in several survey numbers. They contended that the land had been allotted to them by the Bhoodan Yagna Board and that pattas were issued for plots measuring 100 square yards each.Petitioners’ contentionAccording to the petitioners, revenue officials forcibly entered their houses in Feb and demolished the structures in the morning without issuing any prior notice. They further stated that similar demolitions had taken place during earlier govts, but when they approached the high court, they obtained orders in their favour. The petitioners also argued that though the Bhoodan Yagna Board no longer exists, special chief secretary, chief commissioner of land administration, acts as the authorised representative of the board and issued the demolition orders. Authorities had earlier declared them encroachers on 3.07 acres of Bhoodan land in Jan and directed revenue officials to take possession of the land.The petitioners have sought suspension of the Jan proceedings and urged the court to direct the state govt to rebuild houses at the same site and pay compensation for the demolished structures after assessing damages through an advocate commissioner.
