
Telangana HC warns cops against meddling in Bhoodan land probe
Justice K Lakshman was hearing a petition filed by Vadthya Ramulu of Padamati thanda, who alleged he was threatened and pressured to withdraw his plea seeking a probe into land allotments to IAS and IPS officers.
The court had earlier summoned a constable from Maheshwaram police station after complaints that he had attempted to intimidate the petitioner. During the hearing, Justice Lakshman grilled the constable, asking whether he had called or threatened Ramulu.
The constable claimed the call was made as part of village history verification under the SHO's direction, denying any coercion.
Justice Lakshman, however, cautioned that any future intimidation would lead to immediate suspension. He noted the case involved serious allegations against around 25 senior officials and had attracted national attention.
While the petitioner's counsel, Dr Vijayalakshmi, sought specific directions to restrain police interference, the judge said such orders weren't necessary at this point and concluded the hearing.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
11 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Inside Track: Wheeling in Circles
At the start of 2025 we were led to believe that we were Donald Trump's special friend and that India would probably be the first to conclude a trade tariff agreement with the US. Now we are not just back of the queue, but could be blackballed! A close observer of Trump-India relations has a different take from others for the mysterious fallout. It was not initially about Russian oil, Pakistani perfidy or thwarting Trump's Nobel Peace Prize ambitions. Trump was infuriated with India's dilatory tactics in signing a deal, which goes back to his first presidency. His joint appearance with Modi in Texas in 2019 was meant to help seal an agreement, but talks fell through a day later in New York. Time and again, as in Gujarat February 2020, like the traditional smooth-talking Indian trader, our officials assured that a deal was almost through, without confessing candidly that some portions of the deal concerning agriculture and dairy products were non-negotiable. Unfortunately, Trump is focused on just this sector, since his Republican supporters come from the farm belt. As US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick remarked angrily, 'You claim to be such a big country and you can't accept a bushel of American corn.' After being re-elected, President Trump was even willing to overlook past slights. (PM Modi did not call or even telephone Trump during his three visits to the US during the Biden presidency.) But in 2025, once again, despite the head-start in negotiations, the deal has not materialised! Retired IAS officer Subhash Chandra Garg's new book is titled No Minister. The former Finance Secretary does not hold back in recalling riveting encounters with his ministerial bosses, some of whom, in fact, refused to take no for an answer, despite bureaucrats citing the rules and the wishes of the incumbent PM. Garg names P Chidambaram among the naysayers who, as finance minister, threatened then PM Manmohan Singh with his resignation unless his proposal that 60-70 secretary level-posts were allotted to the Indian Revenue Service cadre. In Garg's view, this unbalanced the bureaucratic structure without improving tax collection. Similarly, Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, on whom the Vajpayee government was dependent for survival, cornered more than 40 % of the portfolios of Indian projects approved by the World Bank in 1999 and 2000. Despite objections from the government, Naidu forced them to agree to his audacious demand, in disregard of fair Central resource distribution. Similarly, Kamal Nath bullied his way so that 5% of the total pool of government houses in Delhi was part of his discretionary quota, which largely included newly constructed category type VII and VIII bungalows in Moti Bagh. Considering it is an intra-party contest to elect the fairly modest position of secretary (administration) of the Constitution Club, it is surprising that the poll has attracted intense national interest and media scrutiny. In contrast, Rajeev Shukla (Congress) has been elected unopposed as secretary (sports) and Tiruchi Siva (DMK) as secretary (culture) without any rancour. There seems more than meets the eye in the fierce tussle between the two ill-matched adversaries for the post of administrative secretary. The jocular, down-to-earth ex-MP and UP Jat leader Sanjeev Balyan, who only joined the club eight years ago, appears to have been pitch forked into the contest, while Rajiv Pratap Rudy, the suave Bihar MP who has been the guiding spirit behind the club for the last 25 years, is credited with upgrading its facilities, including gyms, saunas, lounges and sports facilities. Balyan's most vocal campaigner is controversial Bihar MP Nishikant Dubey, who is fighting with all the vehemence and caste calculations of a panchayat election and throwing names of powerful central politicians. Pratap, more discreet, is believed to be backed by an influential regional satrap, who has not shown his hand openly. Amidst constant reports of Air India's slipping standards, I am pleased to report my recent personal experience of the airlines, which demonstrates that the staff's spirit of service beyond the call of duty, the hallmark of JRD Tata's original Air India, has not vanished. While flying back from Kenya on an AI flight, the senior air hostess noticed my distress as I rummaged through my carry bag and under the seat for my missing iPad, which had obviously been left behind in Nairobi. I presumed resignedly that recovering my iPad was like looking for a needle in a haystack, but I had not reckoned with the resourcefulness of the very helpful air hostess and the AI Nairobi manager. The latter, with the assistance of his counterpart at the Nairobi airport lounge, located the missing iPad, got it identified through WhatsApp photos and arranged to have it returned to Delhi within a week.


Hans India
41 minutes ago
- Hans India
CM: Focus on ganja-free agency to boost tourism
Paderu: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has expressed his opinion that tourism can thrive in the Agency areas if the cultivation, transport, and consumption of ganja are prevented. He instructed the police to work systematically towards zero ganja cultivation and zero crime in the agency areas. Marking International Indigenous Peoples' Day on Saturday, Chandrababu visited Lagisapalli in the Paderu division of Alluri Sitarama Raju district. At the Praja Vedika, he laid the foundation stones for various projects and inaugurated several developmental programmes aimed at improving facilities in Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) areas. Speaking on the occasion, Chandrababu Naidu reaffirmed that steady development of tribal areas and welfare of tribals would remain priorities of his government. 'Our goal is the welfare of tribals and the development of their areas. We have given special attention by appointing IAS officers in ITDAs,' Naidu said, addressing the gathering. He amplified that IAS officers had been posted in seven ITDAs to ensure efficient administration and emphasised that tribals could achieve miracles if given proper opportunities and support. Naidu highlighted tourism and food processing as priority sectors. Earlier, Naidu extended "World Tribal Day greetings" on 'X' and said the TDP-led government was working towards developing tribal and plains regions on an equal footing. Besides highlighting developmental and welfare activities executed in tribal areas over the past year, Naidu said he would discuss future projects with tribals and announce decisions soon. Chandrababu asked officials to ensure that organic and tribal products got marketing support for sales on e-commerce platforms. He instructed them to work towards creating international marketing facilities for tribal products. Describing the Agency area as a "great wonder created by God", if remarked that if he were to be reborn, he would wish to be born there. He praised the pure mountains, forests, and the good-hearted people of the region. He said that indigenous people were naturally skilled and capable, and that the development of the state was possible only when tribal people were developed. Chandrababu Naidu mentioned that it was former chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh NT Rama Rao, who prioritised the development of tribal areas. "If given opportunities, tribal people can achieve wonders. We are giving high priority to tourism and food processing. We are releasing funds for school buildings. We have made medical services available in tribal areas. We are transforming tribal villages into places where there is no need for 'doli' transportation," the Chief Minister said. Earlier, Naidu visited the forest shrine of Goddess Modakondamma in Vanjangi and performed special pujas. He inspected coffee plantations nearby and spoke with the farmers, enquiring about any difficulties they faced. He went round stalls set up by various government departments at the venue. The Chief Minister enquired from officials the progress of homestay projects in tribal areas and advised them to ensure that homestays provided a healthy environment for tourists to enjoy nature. He also unveiled a new logo for branding tribal products. The Chief Minister suggested considering partnerships with major companies to further market tribal products and emphasized the need to promote organic food products. The Chief Minister bought a sari woven in the Agency area and had a cup of coffee at an Araku coffee stall set up by a DWCRA woman. He enquired from her the income generated from the stall. Later, he posted on 'X': 'Nothing beats a cup of fresh Araku coffee, enjoyed where it's grown, in nature's heart, where tribal communities' efforts bring this unique brew to life.' Chandrababu Naidu also suggested focusing on the production of cookies, millet biscuits, and chocolates using locally available raw materials.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Chalavadi Mahasabha alleges errors in internal reservation report, seeks review
Koppal: The Karnataka State Chalavadi Mahasabha has raised serious objections to the internal reservation report submitted by Justice Nagamohan Das, who heads the Internal Reservation Single Member Inquiry Commission, on Aug 4. The survey, conducted from May 5 to July 6, 2025, encompassed 1.1 crore individuals across 27.2 lakh families. These families were categorised into five groups, with many being identified as the most backward. In a letter addressed to chief minister Siddaramaiah and minister HC Mahadevappa, retired IAS officer and mahasabha president Siddaiah alleged that the report misclassified Paraiya and Paravan castes, part of the Scheduled Caste (SC) right-hand community, under the left-hand community. Moreover, several other right-hand communities were reportedly moved to the most backward castes category, allegedly reducing their population share. According to the commission's report, the reservation quotas were allocated as follows: 1% for the left-hand group, 6% for the right-hand group, 5% for Banjara, Bhovi, Korama, Koracha, and non-untouchable castes, and 1% for non-caste groups like Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida, and Adi Andhra. However, the mahasabha claimed that the report submitted by Justice Nagamohan Das was unscientific and biased. In its letter, the Chalavadi Mahasabha highlighted procedural flaws made by the commission. It pointed out that during the survey, most enumerators were instructed to use a specific app for data entry, but were not provided tablets. Later, the app was removed from their devices on commission's request, resulting in the deletion of thousands of survey entries. No re-surveys were conducted for these families, it said. Furthermore, the mahasabha claimed that the abrupt shift in methodology — from ration card-based to Aadhaar-based — was flawed. A request to include families with multiple children lacking Aadhaar cards led to a policy permitting four individuals per Aadhaar card. By then, approximately eight lakh families were surveyed, excluding at least eight lakh children, with no corrective steps taken, it alleged. The mahasabha also accused the commission of overlooking the issue of enumerators not having identity cards, leading to unverified surveys and incomplete coverage of Scheduled Caste populations. Additionally, they alleged that educated individuals entered their castes as Adi-Karnataka, Adi-Dravida, and Adi-Andhra without mentioning their original castes. The commission, according to the Maha Sabha, did not address these discrepancies, instead assigned a blanket 1% reservation to these groups, deeming it "unscientific and illegal". The commission understated the population growth rate of the Chalavadi community. The actual population stands at 1.47 crore, but the commission pegged it at only 1.16 crore, according to Siddaiah. In light of these alleged inaccuracies, the mahasabha has called for the formation of a cabinet subcommittee to reassess and correct the reservation allocations to ensure justice for all communities. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !