Bhatti Orders Withdrawal Of Cases On HCU Students

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka directed police officials to immediately withdraw the cases filed against University of Hyderabad (UoH/HCU) students in connection with the Kancha Gachibowli land issue.

The directive was issued following a meeting at the Secretariat with representatives from the University of Hyderabad Teachers' Association (UHTA) and civil society groups.

The Deputy CM instructed that urgent steps be taken to withdraw the cases against the two students currently in judicial remand.

He also directed officials from the law department to issue clear instructions to the police to ensure that the withdrawal process did not face legal hurdles.

Ministers Sridhar Babu and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy - members of the sub-committee formed to resolve the Kancha Gachibowli land issue - were present at the meeting, along with AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, Congress Working Committee special invitee Vamshi Chand Reddy, Intelligence DG Shivadar Reddy, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Abhishek Mohanty, and officials from the law department.

The sub-committee, headed by Bhatti, stated that police presence on the 400-acre disputed land was necessary in accordance with a recent Supreme Court order. However, the government would write to the university administration expressing its intent to withdraw police from the rest of the campus, subject to an assurance from the university ensuring the safety of the students and campus property.

Citing the Supreme Court's directive to maintain the status quo and prevent any activity in the disputed area, the government stated that no surveys would be permitted by anyone, including faculty and students, until further court orders.

As per reports, while the sub-committee is open to visiting the campus as requested by the students, it said that such a visit could not be scheduled immediately due to the ongoing court case and the potential for controversy. Instead, the sub-committee has invited students to a meeting to hear their concerns and suggestions.

During the meeting, ministers also took note of other demands and proposals raised by civil society groups and the UHTA, and said that these would be addressed in consultation with citizen groups.