Telangana High Court
Hyderabad, July 5, 2025 – The Telangana High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on a senior advocate, who also served as the competent officer under the Evacuee Interest Separation Act, 1951, for causing a delay of over 25 years in resolving a property dispute. The case involves the legal heirs of Saleha Fatima Begum, who have been fighting for their rights to approximately 43 acres of land since 1962.
The court, presided over by Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy, directed the officer to pay the fine to the Sainik Welfare Board, Telangana, or the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, Telangana, within four weeks. The ruling highlighted the prolonged suffering of three generations of the petitioner’s family due to the delay. The properties in question belonged to Saleha’s brothers, who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India, while she remained in India. Due to an error or negligence, the sale certificates issued in 1962 omitted the 43 acres, leading to decades of legal battles.
In 2000, a division bench of the High Court had instructed the petitioners to approach the competent officer, who in 2002 ordered a status quo on the land. However, no further progress was made, prompting the court to criticize the officer’s inaction. Justice Reddy ordered the resolution of the matter within three months, emphasizing the need for justice after such an extensive delay.
The court expressed dismay at the competent officer’s failure to adjudicate the case, noting that the prolonged litigation had deprived two generations of their rights, leaving the third generation to continue the fight. This ruling underscores the judiciary’s commitment to addressing delays in the legal system and ensuring accountability.
Source: Telangana High Court proceedings, agencies
