Hyderabad: A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili on Monday granted one last opportunity to the State government to file its counter in a public interest litigation case challenging the Telangana Eunuchs Act 1329F.
“Failing to file a counter, the Secretaries of Social Welfare and Home Departments have to appear before court,” the panel said. Vyjayanti Vasanta Mogli and two others filed this case contending that the Act was outdated and discriminatory as it criminalises the transgender community without any legal basis.
They pointed out that it uses the deeply stigmatising term ‘eunuchs’ to target them. It also requires the government to maintain a register of ‘eunuchs’ in Hyderabad, with their names and addresses, based on suspicion of kidnapping, emasculation or commission of unnatural offences or abetment. They complained that the Act violates their freedom of speech and expression and takes away their right to privacy. The panel adjourned the case to March for response of government.
Hyderabad Newsclick here for more Hyderabad News‘Comply with SC directions’
The same panel directed the State government to comply with the directions of the apex court in People’s union of Civil Liberty vs union of India while dealing with a PIL filed by Rama Melkote complaining of non-implementation of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). The petitioner complained that the State agencies were not implementing the orders of the apex court in letter and spirit. He requested the court to appoint State and district level advisors to Commissioner, ICDS. The panel closed the PIL after making the said observations.
Probe encounter deaths
The same panel directed the State government to complete investigation and file report within three months in the extra judicial killing of 12 people in the name of encounter on March 2, 2018, at Thondapal forest area, Cherla mandal, between the borders of Chhattisgarh and Telangana. The panel was hearing a PIL filed by Prof Gaddam Laxman against the extra judicial killings. The petitioner sought for compliance with directions of SC in conducting the investigation.
The State government filed counter stating that due procedure was followed. The panel held that it was clear that the autopsy was conducted by videographing the same and case was registered under relevant provisions of law against the erring officials and that the investigation was going on. The panel disposed of the PIL with the above observations.
PIL disposed
The panel disposed of a PIL filed by Mestri Srinivas alleging that the temple lands belonging to Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Devasthanam, Tandur, were being encroached. During arguments, government pleader informed the court that Endowments Act provided for remedy in case the temple lands were encroached. The panel was also informed that a case was filed against encroacher Sheikh Abdul Karim which is pending. The panel observed that the petitioner was free to approach the Endowments Tribunal and directed the Tribunal to dispose of the petition expeditiously. It also directed the State government to take possible steps to protect temple properties from encroachment.
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