Telangana HC Halts Dispossession in Musi Riverfront Land Acquisition

The Telangana High Court has granted interim protection to landowners challenging the acquisition of their properties in Dargah Khaleej Khan Village, located in Gandipet Mandal of Ranga Reddy District, for the Musi Riverfront Development Project. Justice K. Sarath directed state authorities not to dispossess the petitioners from their lands until the next hearing.

The interim order was passed in response to a petition filed by I. Prabhakar Reddy, Atibhumi Holdings Private Limited, Sahasra Infra Private Limited, and S.C. Mohan Reddy. The petitioners moved the High Court to contest a series of land acquisition proceedings initiated by the State Government concerning their holdings.

The disputed property encompasses land measuring 9 acres and 08¾ guntas situated across Survey Numbers 27, 28, 31, and 32 in Dargah Khaleej (Khaliz) Khan Village. The state had initiated steps to acquire these land parcels as part of the broader Musi Riverfront Development Project and its associated works.

In their petition, the landholders specifically challenged the validity of G.O.Rt. No. 921, issued on December 16, 2025. Through this government order, authorities had granted an exemption under Section 10A of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, to the Musi Riverfront Development Project and related initiatives.

The petitioners argued before the court that the acquisition proceedings were illegal, arbitrary, and conducted without the authority of law. They further contended that the state's actions violated their constitutional rights.

Following the hearing, Justice Sarath issued directions to the respondents, which include the State Government, the District Collector of Ranga Reddy, the Revenue Divisional Officer and Land Acquisition Officer, and the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited. The court instructed all respondents to submit their counter affidavits in the matter within two weeks.

Until the matter is heard on the next date of hearing, the court ordered that authorities must maintain the status quo regarding possession and refrain from taking over the subject lands from the petitioners.