Hyderabad, January 25: A division bench of the AP High Court comprising chief justice Nisar Ahmed Kakru and justice Vilas Afzalpurkar on Monday ordered notice to the state government and the Pollution Control Board on a writ petition complaining of environmental pollution attributable to the Satavahana Ispat Limited in Bomanahalli in Anantapur district. The ryots of the area complained to the High Court that the industry was responsible for discharge of trade affluent causing health hazards to the local residents. The petitioners complained that the Pollution Control Board had failed to take necessary action against the erring industry.
HC admits habeas corpus plea on custody of minor child
A division bench of the AP High Court comprising justice V Eshwariah and justice V Suri Appa Rao on Monday admitted a habeas corpus writ petition involving the claims of trans continental divorcees for the custody of their minor child. Increasing cases of this nature are coming up before the High Court. In the present case the petitioner contended that the courts in Texas, US had dissolved his marriage and also given him custody of his minor child, who is a natural born citizen of the US. He complained that the despite the decree the wife would not give up the custody of the child and had moved the Indian courts for maintenance.
Visakha industries can withdraw plea
A division bench of the AP High court on Monday permitted the withdrawal of a writ petition filed by the management of Visakha Industries. The asbestos sheets manufacturing company had earlier questioned an order directing the relocation of the company from its present premises in the 10 km radius of the Osmansagar and Himayatsagar lakes. Earlier the industry moved the High Court during the vacation and obtained stay of the order which required the company to relocate its manufacturing unit.
The petitioner contended that it was a non-pollution causing industry and therefore GO 111 did not apply to it. In any event the Pollution Control Board took the stance that the need for change of premises was for all industries in light of the government’s policy and in any event the industry could file a statutory appeal before the Appellate Board and as such the writ petition is not maintainable.
HC nod for advocates’ relay fast
Justice R Subash Reddy of the AP High Court on Monday directed the local police to permit the High Court advocates to carry on their scheduled relay hunger strikes in support of the demand for Telangana. The judge made the order in a writ petition filed by Satyam Reddy, former president of the High Court Advocates Association and a leading votary from the Bar. The petitioner questioned an order of the local police authority made on Jan 22 refusing permission for erecting a tent for the proposed relay hunger strike on the ground that the High Court was a high security zone. Sharat Kumar, advocate for the petitioner, pointed out that earlier the court had in similar
circumstances granted conditional permission. He reiterated that a hunger strike was a legitimate manner of democratic protest and lawyers as responsible citizens should not be stopped from such protest. He also pointed out that the declaration that the High Court was a high security zone did not include the road outside the court. The judge issued a series of directions including that they shall not raise slogans or give speeches and have banners.
–Agencies