Telangana high court defers hearing on Royal Mosque land swap, seeks govt response | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Telangana high court on Wednesday adjourned by a week the hearing on a PIL challenging a proposed land exchange involving the historic Royal Mosque (Masjid-e-Bagh-e-Aam) at Public Gardens, to enable the state govt to place its response on record.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice Vakiti Ramakrishna Reddy was hearing a petition filed by Chilumula Rama Rao against a proposal by the govt and the Telangana Waqf Board to exchange 1,539 square yards of mosque land for an equal extent of land belonging to the legislative assembly and the horticulture department.The bench deferred further hearing to allow the govt to obtain necessary instructions in the matter.The petitioner contended that the proposed land exchange, linked to the expansion and renovation of the mosque, should not be carried out without a comprehensive statutory survey and verification of boundaries by the competent authorities.Appearing for the petitioner, counsel argued that implementing the proposal without a joint survey involving the revenue, forest, archaeology, horticulture departments and GHMC could adversely affect the ecological balance of Public Gardens, including its green cover, mature trees such as neem and peepal, and public open spaces.The petitioner has consequently sought directions to keep the proposal in abeyance and restrain any construction, demolition, excavation or alteration of the land until the issue is decided.