Telangana High Court Orders HYDRAA to Restore Demolished Kukatpally Property

In a significant legal check on the agency's demolition actions, the Telangana High Court has ordered the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) to restore demolished structures on a Kukatpally plot within 24 hours. The court strongly criticized the agency for carrying out the demolitions on May 25 and May 26, 2026, despite the property having active judicial protection.

The court directed the immediate reconstruction of the demolished structures, which included fencing, security rooms, and entry gates on the 13-acre 17-gunta plot in Kukatpally. The court's order also requires the respondents to restore electricity to the property.

During the hearing, the High Court criticized HYDRAA’s conduct as "brazen" and "high-handed," accusing the agency of treating judicial directives as mere inconveniences. The court characterized the agency's actions as a "recurring modus operandi" that involved demolishing structures and seizing land, only to seek justification after the actions were completed.

The court highlighted that the Kukatpally land had been regularized by the government in 2008 under G.O. Ms. No. 469. Furthermore, the court noted that the authorities had previously admitted on oath in their own counter-affidavits that the property was not a water body, Shikam, or tank. The court pointed out that the authorities were now taking a contradictory stance to justify the recent destruction of the structures on the site.

Under the court's ruling, if the officials fail to comply with the restoration orders, the petitioner is authorized to undertake the reconstruction. The cost of this restoration will be charged to the personal funds of the responsible officials, meaning the expenses will be recovered directly from their personal funds.

Additionally, the High Court has restrained HYDRAA from any future interference with the Kukatpally property pending the final disposal of the case.