Telangana High Court dismisses PIL against online classes

Hyderabad: If there is no rule, no conditions or guideline from the government then what is wrong in conducting online classes in schools, the High Court Chief Justice Bench questioned the petitioner.

The High Court Bench headed by Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy heard public interest litigation on Wednesday through video conference, filed by Mohammed Abdul Raheem Khan seeking the government to take necessary action against all the schools who are insisting and forcing the students and their parents to pay tuition fees through e-mails, phone calls, SMS etc., and also against the schools who are not allowing the students to study online/virtual classes for not paying tuition fees and defer the payment of such fees till three months in view of poor financial conditions of the parents due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Moreover, the petitioner seeks to frame guidelines accordingly and to direct the State government herein to issue necessary circulars and notifications directing the schools not to insist on the students and parents to pay tuition fees through emails and phone calls, SMS.

Petitioner Counsel Khaja Nizamuddin alleged that only to gain money online classes are being taken by the private and corporate schools. What about the students who lack online resources namely, computers, laptops, etc. It shows the complete inaction of the government regulating the schools in this pandemic situation, the petitioner counsel added.

Chief Justice pointed out that if there is no rule from the government, then there is nothing wrong conducting online classes. Adhering to the online classes in the Telangana State no guidelines have been framed, if you have any objection regarding online classes, first do bring to the notice of the government to take action or make guidelines, the Bench opined.

Moreover, CJ said that the High Court cannot direct the government to issue circulars, notifications or guidelines. Therefore the High Court dismissed the case.

Follow Covid-19 guidelines in all old age homes: HC

The High Court Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy heard the public interest litigation regarding the proper maintenance of old age homes and praying to the court to direct the State government to provide adequate infrastructure facilities at the old age homes for decent and dignified human dwelling.

Government pleader Sanjiv Kumar informed the Bench that 89 old age homes are in the State and 41 unregistered old age homes have been sent notices. The government has issued notices to the unregistered homes to close or else after 15 days they will be seized.

Moreover, GP Sanjiv Kumar informed the Bench that there is an absolute lack of inspection from the concerned officials

The Chief Justice pointed out what departmental action being taken against those delinquent officers who are supposed to discharge their duties. Further, how many officers have been charged in this inaction, CJ questioned.

Chief Justice Chauhan pointed out what substantial action the government is taking in the old age homes to contain Covid-19. Because old age persons are more affected if they do not take considerable healthy steps, the Bench stressed the need for government's action.

The CJ Bench directed the government to take adequate steps in containing the coronavirus in all the old age homes. Thermal screening may be provided in all the old age homes. Keep all the old age homes hygienic, put sanitizers wherever it is necessary, do not allow anyone inside the old age homes due to the covid-19 pandemic, whether its relatives of inmate's or outsiders, unless it is essential. Maintain food quality, the bench directed.

The matter is adjourned to July 14.

Govt make no effort to Safeguard Musi River from encroachments: High Court

What action has been taken against encroachments in Hyderabad, what are the concrete steps, notices issued, peoples encroachment removed, when was it happened, asked the High Court Bench headed by Chief Justice to the government for its inaction towards encroachments.

The Bench heard the writ petition seeing the court to direct the WALTA authorities and Lake Protection Committee immediately evict the encroachers of Moosi river by filling up the river bed near Shankar Nagar for the past 6 years from 2014 to 2019 and polluting the river. Consequently, for eviction of encroachments of water body at Puppalaguda village in Rajendranagar mandal of Ranga Reddy district.

Advocate General Banda Shivananda Prasad informed the Bench that certain encroachments are there and steps are being taken to demolish them.

There should be continuous steps to be taken. Certain constructions have been removed, photographs have been filed, AG said.

CJ pointed out that it's a vague statement, give a concrete report on the demolitions. On which date, whose structures have been demolished, what was the structure found at the site.

Moreover, the bench added that government makes one statement, petitioner makes contradictory to it, media gives a hardly different picture. Further, the rampant encroachment on the Musi river and I see when I cross Musi river every day, CJ said.

Advocate General informed the bench that action has been started, consider some time, Government will show the result. The Bench directed AG to file a comprehensive report and file the master plan of Hyderabad before the court.