The Telangana High Court has issued notices to various government officials and departments, asking them to explain why they allotted 3.7 acres of valuable land for free to a private international arbitration and mediation center. The court has given them until November 21 to respond.
The petitioner, representing himself, argued that the state cannot give away land for free to a private institution. He stated that if the center wants to be established, it should have to purchase the land instead. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that states cannot allocate land for free to private organizations.
Advocate Koti Raghunatha Rao filed a PIL challenging the government’s decision to give away the valuable land. He also opposed the allocation of Rs. 3 crore per year for the center’s maintenance. He requested a stay on the government orders allotting the land and approving the funds.
The petitioner specifically asked for a stay on GO 126 dated December 26, 2021, which allotted the 3.7 acres of government land, and GO 76 of 2021 dated November 12, which approved Rs. 3 crore as operating expenses for the center.
The hearing in this case has been adjourned until November 21.
