The court also expressed strong displeasure over a request to exempt an official from personal appearance on the ground that he was accompanying a minister on an official tour. Hyderabad : Telangana high court on Tuesday came down heavily on govt officials for failing to implement its orders on time, warning of stringent action against officers who seek to evade court proceedings on untenable grounds.
The high court had, in Dec 2024, directed the chief commissioner of land administration (CCLA) to refund ₹45.10 lakh paid by the petitioners towards land conversion charges for converting agricultural land to non-agricultural use in Korremula near Ghatkesar. However, after being informed that the amount due to the petitioners had been deposited, the high court held that no further action was required and closed the contempt petition.
“If such an exemption petition is filed again, it would be rejected the same day and an arrest warrant would be issued (to the officials concerned),” the judge observed. “It is not your money. It is the petitioner’s money. You have no right to keep it even for a single day or a single minute. Why are you not refunding it?” the court asked. Alleging non-compliance with the order, the petitioners subsequently moved the court with a contempt plea. The bench further cautioned that officials could face serious consequences for delays in complying with court orders and advised govt pleaders to properly guide officers on court matters and the timely implementation of judicial directions.
Justice CV Bhaskar Reddy, hearing a contempt petition alleging delay in refunding money to two businessmen despite an earlier court order, warned that such exemption requests would not be entertained in future.