Tree-felling row: Supreme Court panel inspects controversial land near Hyderabad University

Hyderabad: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court, inspected the controversial 400-acre land parcel in Kancha Gachibowli on Thursday.

The committee, headed by Siddhant Das included CP Goyal, Sunil Limaye, and JR Bhatt. They conducted its field examination as mandated by the Supreme Court.

Senior officials accompanied the committee members during their site visit.

The Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance of the Telangana government's actions after media reports highlighted the leveling of land and removal of trees using heavy machinery. The court directed the CEC to assess the ground situation and submit a detailed report.

During their visit, the panel also met with senior government officials, including Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari.

On Friday, the committee will hear representations from NGOs, student groups, and other stakeholders who have raised concerns about environmental violations at the site.

A BRS delegation led by former minister B Harish Rao met with the Central Empowered Committee.

After the meeting, Harish Rao stated that they had presented a report to the committee detailing environmental destruction being carried out by the Revanth government at the Kancha Gachibowli lands, along with issues and facts raised by students and environmental activists.

"The Congress government violated all rules and regulations in the Kancha Gachibowli lands and destroyed the environment during festivals and holidays," Harish Rao said.

"If a poor farmer cuts down a tree in his field, the police and MRO will impose a penalty of lakhs of rupees. What are the forest and revenue officials doing while Revanth Reddy is cutting down thousands of trees? There's one justice for the common man and another for Revanth Reddy," asked Harish Rao.

As per the Supreme Court's directions, the committee will submit its report before April 16. The Telangana government's controversial decision to auction 400 acres of land adjacent to Hyderabad Central University has sparked widespread protests across the university campus.

These protests intensified as the government began leveling the land and removing trees using heavy machinery and excavators. In response to the growing unrest, authorities have implemented extensive security measures around the university's main entrance.