Telangana HC Halts Dispossession of Landowners for Musi Project

The Telangana High Court has granted interim protection to landowners in Dargah Khaleej Khan Village of Gandipet Mandal in Ranga Reddy District, restraining State authorities from dispossessing them of their properties for the Musi Riverfront Development Project until the next hearing.

Justice K. Sarath issued the interim directions while hearing a petition filed by I. Prabhakar Reddy, Atibhumi Holdings Private Limited, Sahasra Infra Private Limited, and S.C. Mohan Reddy. The petitioners challenged government proceedings to acquire land measuring 9 acres and 8¾ guntas located in Survey Nos. 27, 28, 31, and 32 of Dargah Khaleej Khan Village.

The landowners specifically questioned G.O.Rt. No. 921, dated December 16, 2025. Through this government order, the State 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 its associated works.

In their plea, the petitioners contended that the acquisition proceedings were illegal, arbitrary, without authority of law, and in violation of their constitutional rights.

After hearing the arguments, Justice Sarath directed the respondents to submit their counter affidavits within two weeks. The respondents in the case include the State Government, the Ranga Reddy District Collector, the Revenue Divisional Officer and Land Acquisition Officer, and the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited.

The court further ordered the authorities to maintain the status quo regarding possession and directed that the petitioners must not be dispossessed from the subject properties until the next date of hearing.