Tree-felling row: Telangana Deputy CM order withdrawal of cases against HCU students

Hyderabad: Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday instructed police officials to withdraw cases against students of Hyderabad Central University (HCU).

Two students are currently in judicial remand following these cases. He directed the police to take immediate action to withdraw the cases and ensure no legal issues arise during the process, asking the law department to provide necessary guidance.

This decision follows discussions with HCU teachers, civil society groups, and other ministers.

On Monday, representatives from the University of Hyderabad Teachers Association (UHTA) and civil society groups met with a Committee of Ministers constituted by the Government of Telangana to address the HCU Kancha Gachibowli issue.

The committee includes Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, and IT and Industries Minister Sridhar Babu.

The UHTA and civil society representatives presented several immediate demands like withdrawal of police forces from the HCU campus, lifting of prohibitory orders, withdrawal of all recent cases filed against student protesters, immediate release of the two students in police custody, and permission for expert faculty and researchers to conduct a damage assessment and biodiversity survey in the disputed 400 acres of Kancha Gachibowli land before the Central Empowered Committee visits the campus.

The participants noted that the Joint Action Committee of students did not attend this meeting because their immediate demands had not been met.

They also clarified that UHTA and civil society groups would only participate in further consultations with the Committee of Ministers after these demands are addressed.

In response, the committee explained that police presence to protect the 400 acres of land is essential in compliance with a recent Supreme Court order.

The government will write to the UoH administration about withdrawing police from the rest of the campus, contingent upon the administration's assurance regarding student safety and campus property security. However, police will remain stationed at the 400-acre plot.

The committee further stated that due to the Supreme Court's order to maintain status quo in the area, they cannot permit surveys by faculty, students, or any other parties until further court directions.

While the committee is willing to visit the campus as requested by students, they explained that such a visit cannot be arranged immediately due to the ongoing Supreme Court case and potential controversy. Nevertheless, they have invited students to a meeting to hear their concerns and suggestions.

Additionally, the Telangana government has announced plans to take action against those circulating morphed, AI-generated videos and images related to the Kancha Gachibowli controversy.

On Monday, Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy submitted a preliminary report to the Telangana High Court on behalf of the police during the ongoing hearing of the case.

A two-judge bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara heard multiple petitions. Guruswamy highlighted the issue of fake news, alleging that the case was being distorted through misinformation that she argued was being used to break up the social fabric.