A Division Bench of the High Court at Hyderabad comprising of Acting Chief Justice D.B. Bhosale and Justice S.V.Bhatt on Monday asked the SP of Mahbubnagar district to apprehend the kingpins behind the illegal sand excavation in the district.
The Bench was dealing with a PIL filed by Watch-Voice of People. The petitioner complained that sand is illegally excavated and when someone protested they are attacked or even killed. It may be recalled that the Bench had called for report from the SP and directed for his presence in court.
On Monday the SP was present and the Bench expressed its disappointment at the way the issue was handled. The Bench wondered why SI and some constables are suspended and why the real heads of the gangs are not apprehended.
The Bench said that labourers and truck drivers are apprehended but the real kingpin is not touched. The Bench asked the counsel for petitioner to submit list of person who can depose on this issue and the police were asked to record the depositions and take action. The Bench was given a list of names who are behind this sand smuggling in a sealed cover.
It gave one week time for the police to submit a report on cracking down the sand mafia.
Expedite probe into Seshachalam encounter
A Division Bench of the High Court at Hyderabad comprising Acting Chief Justice D.B. Bhosale and Justice S.V.Bhatt on Monday directed the SIT constituted on encounter at Seshachalam hills to expedite the investigation and submit report to the court by two weeks. The Bench was dealing with the cases filed by Civil Liberties Committee and spouses of the red sander wood cutters who were killed in ‘encounter’ with the police. The Bench wanted the Forensic Science Laboratory to expedite the examination of the rifles and bullets recovered from police.
The Bench wanted the government to produce statements of some of the policemen who were present when the alleged encounter took place. The case is listed for September 7. The government was asked to file counter affidavit filed by HRF on reconstitution of the SIT.
Report sought
on suicides
The same Bench on Monday responded to the complaint regarding deaths of students who are studying in hostels of corporate junior colleges. The Bench asked the Higher education Department to explain the steps taken.
