Telangana IAS officer raises concerns of 'selective targeting' in Kancha Gachibowli land controversy

Hyderabad: In the controversial 400-acre Kancha Gachibowli land row, Telangana's Tourism Department Principal Secretary Smita Sabharwal has found herself at the centre of attention.

On Saturday, she submitted a detailed statement to the Gachibowli police in response to a notice she received days earlier for reposting an AI-generated image on social media regarding tree felling near the University of Hyderabad (UoH).

After providing her statement, Smita observed that notices sent to her raised concerns of "selective targeting".

The senior IAS officer, who maintains an active social media presence, had reposted an image on 31 March from an X handle named 'Hi Hyderabad'. The image depicted bulldozers positioned in front of the Mushroom Rock inside UoH, with a peacock and deer looking on.

The Gachibowli police subsequently served her a notice under Section 179 of the BNSS. Following protests at UoH on 30 March over the proposed development of 400 acres of forest land in Kancha Gachibowli, numerous images and videos circulated on social media platforms. Some of these visuals—created using artificial intelligence—were widely shared to generate sympathy for wildlife reportedly inhabiting the area.

"Have fully cooperated with Gachibowli police authorities, and given my detailed statement today as a law-abiding citizen under BNSS Act. The post was reshared by 2,000 individuals on this platform. I sought clarification on whether same action is initiated for all! If not, this raises concern about selective targeting, that in turn compromises the principles of natural justice and equality before the law," said Smita on her X handle.

Meanwhile, 67 former IAS, IFS, and IPS officers have written an open letter to the Telangana government urging conservation of the Kancha Gachibowli land. In their letter, the officers noted that the Congress party's 2024 election manifesto had reaffirmed its commitment to rapid, inclusive, and sustainable development, as well as protection of ecosystems, local communities, flora, and fauna. The manifesto also pledged to address environmental and climate change issues with appropriate seriousness.

"It was therefore with dismay that we learned of the recent disturbing incidents at Hyderabad Central University—the clearing of over 100 acres of forested land in Kancha Gachibowli using bulldozers, with the objective of using this land for IT buildings and activities," the letter stated.