Hyderabad: Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court asked the director and medical superintendent of Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) and others not to finalise tenders issued for license of pharmacy shops in their premises. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by medical shops inside the hospital premises, G.P. Medical Stores, and A.G. Pharmacy. The petitioners alleged that the superintendent had issued four successive tender notifications by cancelling the earlier notifications, without assigning any reason. They further alleged that the respondent changed the tender conditions from one notification to the other arbitrarily and without any transparency only to suit some individuals. The petitioners stated that they were running pharmacies on the respondent premises paying rent regularly and had submitted bids on every tender notification after expiry of their licences. The petitioners also alleged that the respondents repeatedly cancelled tenders unilaterally and kept changing conditions. The petitioners complained that the actions of the respondent authorities were illegal, arbitrary and in violation of the constitution. After hearing the petitioners, the judge passed interim directions to the state medical and health department, director and medical superintendent of NIMS not to finalise the tender while recording that issuing of successive tender notices is for extraneous consideration.
HC suspends KU move on filling up vacancies in PhD admissions
Justice T. Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court passed an interim order suspending directions of the Kakatiya University for filling up vacancies for admission into the PhD Programme. The judge was dealing with a writ plea filed by Challa Amarender Reddy, raising concerns over the respondent university’s handling of vacant seats in Category II PhD admissions for 2023-24. Counsel for the petitioner argued that the university had failed to issue a fresh notification to fill the vacant seats, whilst opting to admit waitlisted candidates from previous years. Counsel argued that according to the university regulations, 50 per cent of Category II seats are reserved for candidates with a master’s degree in the relevant subject and are distinct from Category I seats, reserved for candidates who have qualified through national-level exams like CSIR or hold research fellowships. The petitioner pointed out that an inquiry committee was established following complaints from candidates, which recommended issuing a fresh notification to fill the remaining vacancies in Category II. The petitioner, however, alleged that the university did not comply with the same, leading to allegations that eligible candidates were deprived of their rightful opportunities. The counsel further argued that the varsity’s decision to fill vacancies with waitlisted candidates violates the established merit-based process. The judge, after hearing the petitioner, noted that the vacancies could not be filled using waitlisted candidates, especially when the notification did not provide for maintaining a waitlist or specify its validity period. In view of the same, the judge passed an interim order and posted the matter for further hearing.
HC assurance on wall for Muslim graveyard
The special panel of the Telangana High Court, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy, granted three weeks additional time for construction of a compound wall around a Muslim graveyard situated in Siddhapur, Rangareddy district. The panel was dealing with a contempt case filed by Sheik Jaffar, who had earlier filed a public interest litigation challenging non-sanction of funds for the construction of a compound wall around the graveyard for its protection. The panel, while disposing the PIL, recorded the undertaking of counsel representing Waqf Board that it was aware of the requirement and a note put up seeking funds for raising a compound wall. Accordingly, the court directed them to complete the process within three months. It was made clear that it shall be ensured that there was no encroachment on the land of the graveyard in question. The petitioner alleged that the respondents had wantonly disobeyed the court order. The panel on Thursday faulted the respondents for not complying with the directions and directed it to be complied within three weeks.
HC refuses to quash FIR against person accused of cheating
Justice K. Sujana of the Telangana High Court refused to quash a first investigation report (FIR) against a person accused of cheating, criminal breach of trust and defaulting in the return of a deposit under the Telangana Protection of Depositors of Financial Establishments Act. The judge was hearing a quash petition filed by Nagam Buchi Reddy, alias Surender Reddy, seeking quashing of the FIR registered against him at a police station of Nagarkurnool district. The petitioner pointed out that the victim did not specifically allege any averments against him and thus the FIR was liable to be quashed. The judge, after hearing the petitioner, directed the investigating officer to follow the procedure laid down under Section 41-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), now Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The judge directed the petitioner to appear before the investigating officer on a specific date and time to submit his defense and co-operate with the investigating officer as and when required, by furnishing information and producing all relevant documents/materials required for the purpose of the investigation. The investigating officer was directed to consider the complete set of facts placed before it by the petitioner before filing a report before the concerned magistrate, as is the procedure under the new regime of BNSS.