HC extends status quo on notification appointing Kodandaram, Amir Ali Khan as MLCs until February 8

The Telangana High Court has ordered a “status quo” on the appointment of M Kodandaram and Amir Ali Khan as MLCs under the Governor quota. The swearing-in ceremony for the MLCs, which was scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed until the next hearing on February 8. This decision comes after two writ petitions filed by Dr. Dasoju Sravan and Kurra Satyanarayana, whose names were recommended by the BRS government for the MLC posts but were rejected by the Governor.

The Chief Justice bench found fault with the State government’s decision to recommend Kodandaram Reddy and Amir Ali Khan while the petitions challenging the rejection of Sravan and Satyanarayana’s nomination are still pending. On January 29, Sravan and Satyanarayana filed two interim applications seeking a stay on the appointment of Kodandaram and Amir Ali Khan as MLCs.

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Aditya Sondhi, senior advocate representing Dr. Sravan, strongly opposed the State government’s decision to recommend new names for MLCs while the issue is still being adjudicated in court. He argued that this decision goes against the press release issued by the Governor on January 17, which stated that the State would not recommend fresh names for MLC posts until February 8.

The Advocate-General informed the court that an order appointing two new persons as MLCs has been passed under the Representation of the Peoples Act, and the Governor has issued a notification accordingly. The hearing in this case has been adjourned to February 8.

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In another case, A-G Sudershan Reddy informed the court that there is a need to enhance Osmania General Hospital from 1,000 beds to 1,800 beds. Two expert committees have recommended the construction of a new building for the hospital, as the existing one is in a dilapidated condition. However, one counsel argued that the heritage part of the hospital should be protected and not demolished.

The court was adjudicating a batch of PILs filed by various groups seeking directions to the government to construct a new building for the hospital. The case has been adjourned to February 12 for final hearing.

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