Hyderabad: Mr. B. S. Swami Das, a city lawyer had filed a Public Interest Litigation Petition in High Court for stopping the Govt. of Telangana from demolishing Osmania General Hospital. A division bench consisting of acting Chief Justice, Dilip B. Bhosle and Justice S.V. Bhat heard this petition. Additional Advocate General, Govt. of Telangana, Mr. J. Ramchandra Rao told the court that at present Government does not have any plan to demolish Osmania General Hospital. He further told that OGH is a heritage building and Government has not taken any decision about its demolition so far.
The division bench instructed the Govt. of Telangana that since OGH is a heritage building, it is essential that Govt. informs the public about any decision pertaining to demolition of OGH. The division bench opined that even for renovation of any heritage building Govt. should take permission from heritage institutions. HC resolved the issue after making a note of the statement made by Advocate General. However the petitioner was told that in case Govt. of Telangana takes any decision about OGH, he can approach High Court again.
Voluntary organizations working in a field of Heritage Preservation opined that if the Govt. is serious about OGH building, it should consult the expert, INTACH and other voluntary organizations for its renovation.
Reliable sources indicated that Mr. KCR has taken a stand not to demolish OGH at the moment, taking into consideration the unrest among the people.
–Siasat News