Telangana HC orders immediate removal of HYDRAA chief Ranganath

The Telangana High Court on Monday directed the state Chief Secretary to immediately relieve IPS officer AV Ranganath from the post of Commissioner of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA). The order comes after the court found Ranganath guilty of repeated violations of its earlier directives.

Court cites repeat violations

The bench, while delivering the order, noted that Ranganath had on multiple occasions failed to comply with court orders. The judge observed that the officer had not offered an apology for the infractions, which aggravated the matter.

The court made it clear that the removal was not a suggestion but a directive. The Chief Secretary has been asked to ensure compliance without delay. HYDRAA is a key agency responsible for monitoring and protecting government assets and responding to disasters in the Hyderabad region.

What led to the order

While the exact nature of the violations has not been detailed in the public order, sources indicate that the court had previously pulled up the agency for acting beyond its mandate in certain demolition drives. The High Court had been hearing a batch of petitions related to HYDRAA's actions.

The judge remarked that the officer's conduct amounted to a clear disregard for judicial authority. The court said that such behaviour cannot be tolerated from a senior IPS officer holding a sensitive post.

State government to challenge order

The Telangana government, however, has indicated that it will object to the High Court's order. Officials said the state will file a review petition or approach a higher court to challenge the directive. A senior official from the Chief Secretary's office confirmed that legal options are being explored.

The government's stance is that Ranganath was performing his duties in good faith and that the court's order could set a precedent affecting administrative functioning. The state is expected to argue that the removal of an officer from a post is an executive decision.

Who is AV Ranganath

AV Ranganath is a 2006-batch IPS officer of the Telangana cadre. He was appointed as the first Commissioner of HYDRAA when the agency was formed last year. The agency was created to streamline the protection of government lands, buildings and other assets, and to coordinate disaster response in the Greater Hyderabad area.

Under his leadership, HYDRAA conducted several high-profile demolition drives against alleged illegal constructions on government land. These actions drew both praise and criticism, with some petitions challenging the agency's methods in court.

What happens next

The Chief Secretary is expected to issue orders for Ranganath's relief in the next few days. Until a new commissioner is appointed, a senior officer from the agency may be given additional charge. The High Court has not specified a timeline for the replacement but has made it clear that the process should be immediate.

The state government's challenge to the order will be closely watched. The case raises questions about the balance between judicial oversight and executive authority in administrative appointments.