Latest news with #KLakshman
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Fee hike pleas: Telangana HC declines to grant interim relief to engineering colleges
HYDERABAD: Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court on Friday declined to grant interim relief to various engineering colleges and their managements, which filed a batch of writ petitions challenging GO 26, which mandates the continuation of the existing fee structure for the academic years 2025-26 to 2027-28. The said GO was issued by the Higher Education department and the Telangana Admission and Fee Regulation Committee (TAFRC) on June 30, 2025. 'This court cannot determine the fee in exercise of its extraordinary powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. It is impermissible. Such exercise will lead to usurping the statutory powers of the TAFRC and render it a toothless tiger. Therefore, it is only for TAFRC to determine the fees structure,' he said. The court also ordered that the TAFRC shall complete the entire exercise of consideration of proposals submitted by the petitioners, determine the fee and send it to the government within six weeks. The petitioners contended that the GO unfairly extended the fee applicable during the previous block period (AY 2022-23 to AY 2024-25) to the current block period, despite TAFRC's prior determination and approval of revised fee proposals submitted by the colleges. Senior advocate Avinash Desai, representing the engineering colleges, argued that the fee hike proposals were submitted in December 2024 and accepted by TAFRC during its meeting in March 2025. Desai asserted that the proposals were officially documented in the committee's register and requested the court to review the same. While denying interim relief, the court directed TAFRC to finalise and fix the fee structure for the new block period within six weeks from the date of the order. Additionally, it was clarified that any hiked fees collected from students would be subject to the final outcome of the main petitions. The Convenor, TG EAPCET 2025 directed to inform the same to the students by placing an appropriate circular on its official website or any other mode. The court instructed the respondents, including the Higher Education department and TAFRC, to file their counter-affidavits, and adjourned the matter to August 12, 2025 for final hearing. Commissioner's directive to TAFRC Following the high court's directive, Commissioner of Technical Education A Sridevasena on Friday directed the TAFRC to conclude the entire exercise of consideration of proposals submitted by the colleges, determine the fee and send it to the government for the issue of fees notification within six weeks.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Justice league: Telangana HC refuses to stay toilet construction in school
Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court has dismissed a writ petition challenging the construction of a toilet complex at the Zilla Parishad High School (ZPHS) in Undavelly village, Jogulamba Gadwal district. The petition was filed by one B Nutan Kumar Reddy, a local resident, who alleged that the construction was illegal and posed health risks due to its proximity to homes and borewells. He sought relocation of the complex to another part of the campus, citing previous directions from the additional collector and local opposition. The Government Pleader informed the court that the toilet complex was being built within the school premises for the benefit of around 350 students, including over 180 girls. After considering the submissions, Justice Lakshman declined to interfere, stating that there was no sufficient ground to halt the construction. The petition was dismissed, permitting the ongoing work to continue. The decision has received mixed responses. While some residents remain concerned about the location, others have welcomed the development as a necessary improvement in school sanitation infrastructure. HC refers plea against 100% quota to chief justice Justice T Madhavi Devi has directed the Registry to place before the Chief Justice a writ petition, which challenges the 100% reservation for STs in gram panchayat, sarpanch and ward member posts in scheduled areas of Telangana, for allocation to an appropriate bench. The writ petition was filed by the Non-Tribal Welfare Society, represented by its secretary Kondabathina Madhu, seeking a declaration that the total reservation for STs in these posts is unconstitutional, contending that it violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India. The plea also cites the Supreme Court's judgment in Chebrolu Leela Prasad Rao & Ors vs State of Andhra Pradesh & Ors, which laid down limits on reservations in local body elections. Counsel for the petitioner argued that due to the blanket reservation, in some Scheduled Areas where no ST candidates are available, the Gram Panchayats are being administered by special officers instead of elected representatives. The petitioner urged the court to direct the authorities to allow non-tribal candidates to contest in such cases to ensure democratic governance at the grassroots level. After hearing the petitioner's counsel, Justice Madhavi Devi observed that the court cannot interfere in policy decisions of the government. She then directed the Registry to place the matter before the Chief Justice for appropriate bench allocation.
New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Defamation plea on CM Revanth Reddy: Telangana High Court reserves orders
Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court has reserved orders on a criminal petition filed by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, seeking quashing of proceedings initiated against him in connection with a speech he delivered during a 2024 election campaign. The case stems from a complaint lodged by state BJP general secretary Kasam Venkateshwarulu before the Principal Special Judicial First Class Magistrate for Excise Cases at Hyderabad. The complainant alleged that Revanth Reddy stated that the BJP, if voted to power, would scrap SC, ST and BC reservations at a public meeting at Kothagudem on May 4, 2024. Senior counsel T Niranjan Reddy, appearing for Revanth Reddy, strongly opposed the maintainability of the complaint. He argued that Venkateshwarulu lacked the authority to file the case as there was no consent or authorisation from the BJP. Furthermore, the senior counsel asserted that the remarks made by the chief minister were part of a political speech delivered during an election campaign, and as such, fell within the ambit of freedom of speech guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. He maintained that political speeches, by their very nature, cannot be classified as defamatory. After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Lakshman reserved orders on the petition.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Telangana high court permits diploma holder to go for DEECET counselling
The Telangana High Court has instructed education officials to allow a diploma holder to participate in the DEECET-2025 counselling. Justice K Lakshman noted the diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering is equivalent to Intermediate. HYDERABAD: Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana high court has directed education authorities to allow a diploma holder to participate in the ongoing Diploma in Elementary Education Common Entrance Test (DEECET)-2025 counselling process, observing that his qualification is equivalent to Intermediate. The judge pronounced this order after hearing a writ petition filed by Kampela Harish, a resident of Arunakka Nagar, Srirampur. The petitioner completed Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 2015 from the State Board of Technical Education and Training, Telangana. He had applied for admission into the two-year Diploma in Elementary Education and Pre-School Education courses through DEECET-2025 and secured 3,945 rank. However, during certificate verification, authorities denied him further participation, citing that he did not possess the mandatory Intermediate qualification. Harish had submitted a representation on June 18, 2025, seeking recognition of his diploma as equivalent to Intermediate, supported by a certificate dated June 16, 2025, from the deputy secretary (Academic), State Board of Technical Education and Training, and by GO Ms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo No. 112 dated October 27, 2001. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The high court noted that the diploma in question was indeed equivalent to 10+2, as confirmed by both the state board and the govt order. "Govt departments must speak in one voice and cannot contradict each other," the court observed. The judge directed the convenor of DEECET-2025 and the school education department to verify the petitioner's certificates and, if otherwise eligible, grant him admission without raising objections.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana HC cancels land allotment to international arbitration centre in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Telangana HC Friday set aside a 2021 order of the previous BRS govt that had allotted 3.7 acres of prime land in Hyderabad's upscale Raidurg area free of cost to International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (IAMC). The centre was initiated and backed by former CJI N V Ramana. A division bench of Justices K Lakshman and K Sujana was hearing two PILs challenging the allotment of land and the financial assistance of Rs 3 crore annually to IAMC. HC noted that state govt had displayed undue haste in the allotment, violating Telangana Land Revenue Act and Andhra Pradesh Alienation of State Lands Rules, 1975, which mandate market-value payment for land given to private entities. It, however, agreed with the view that institutional arbitration must be promoted by govts and upheld the state's decision to give an annual financial assistance of Rs 3 crore.
