A Division Bench of the High Court at Hyderabad comprising Acting Chief Justice D.B. Bhosale and Justice S.V.Bhatt on Monday reprimanded the AgriGold consortium and the AP police for the manner in which they were approaching the issue when the court was monitoring the case.
The Bench at one stage said “Do not test the patience of the court”.
The Bench expressed deep displeasure at the manner the AgriGold consortium was trying to dilute the issue. The Bench was dealing with a writ petition filed seeking CBI inquiry into the misdeeds of the consortium.
It was alleged that the innocent depositors mostly from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana have been duped of crores of rupees and the AP police have been dragging their feet on the criminal case. The Bench had appointed a committee headed by retired judge of the High Court to oversee the sale of prime properties and the distribution of the proceeds among the depositors.
As Justice Surya Rao passed away recently the Bench had appointed Justice G.V.Sethapathi, former judge of the High Court who was also registrar of the court for considerable time.
The Bench asked the AP government about the state of investigation.
The Bench was not satisfied with the response and said that it will have to hand over the case to CBI and pass appropriate comments and orders regarding the investigation team.
When the special pleader on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh government was trying to explain why the arrest had not taken place, the Bench was not impressed.
The Bench found that the report submitted by the Agri Gold consortium was evasive and expressed doubts about its sincerity.
When the properties that were put on sale are in Karnataka the advertisements ought to have been given in leading newspapers in that State.
The Bench wanted the Agri Gold Company to submit the advertisements the next day of hearing.
The case has been listed to Friday.
Govts. asked to sensitise media
The Division Bench of the High Court at Hyderabad comprising Acting Chief Justice D.B. Bhosale and Justice S.V.Bhatt on Monday suggested to the governments of the two Telugu States to approach the print and electronic media to create awareness regarding the usage of carbide for ripening the fruits.
The Bench was dealing with a taken up case regarding the extensive usage of chemicals like carbide for ripening fruits quickly which leads to dangerous health hazards.
The Bench adjourned the matter to March 4 to facilitate the governments to report back about the extensive campaign and implantation of various suggestions made by amicus curie.
Highway at Chilakaluripeta
The Division Bench of the High Court at Hyderabad comprising Acting Chief Justice D.B. Bhosale and Justice S.V.Bhatt on Monday took on record the statement made by the Central Government and National High Way Authority that the proposal to expand the Highway at Chilakaluripeta , Gunutr district will not be taken up for the present. The Bench was dealing with cases filed by farmers and residents of Chilakaluripeta complaining that the authorities are acting arbitrarily and endangering the lives of people.
The Bench closed the case after recording the statement made on behalf of the respondents.
