Legal Briefs | Telangana HC quashes hotel worker’s life imprisonment

HYDERABAD: A two-judge bench of the Telangana High Court stayed the life imprisonment sentence given to a hotel employee. The bench, comprising K. Surender and J. Anil Kumar, accepted the appeal filed by Boddu Tirupati, the sole accused in the murder of another hotel employee, A. Sanjeev Reddy. 3rd Additional District and Sessions Judge Rangareddy sentenced the accused to life imprisonment. According to the prosecution, on the night of May 27, 2012, the defendant killed the victim with a long stick. The prosecution’s claim was that the defendant worked as a waiter in a hotel, while the victim worked as a translator in another hotel, and that the owners of both were the same person. According to the prosecution, the defendant knew the victim and had an argument in the early evening. The two went to a movie the next day, and the victim asked the defendant why he had blamed her the night before. The defendant pushed the victim, went to the hotel, took out a long stick and killed him. The board noted that the complaint did not mention that this happened to the hotel cashier, and also that none of the witnesses supported the theory that the long stick was used for the alleged crime. The panel found that these inconsistencies did not demonstrate sufficient confidence to punish an individual. Thereupon, the panel overturned the conviction and ordered the immediate release of the defendant.

Malla Reddy medical college said the certificates were returned to the student

Justice K. Lakshman of the Telangana High Court directed Malla Reddy Women’s Medical College to immediately return the student’s original certificates. The judge rejected the writ plea filed by Ramineni Sai Lakshmi Saranya, who was admitted to the five-year MBBS course in 2021 after qualifying NEET. The student, who paid significant fees, expressed serious concerns about the university’s teaching methods and infrastructure, which negatively affected his learning experience and led him to discontinue his studies. When he was asked to return his original certificates via email in July and August this year, the college refused, citing the outstanding balance of Rs 36 lakh in his name. Despite a letter from Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences dated August 9, 2024 advising the colleges to return the original certificates following due process and decision to leave the university, the college has demanded an additional Rs 3 lakh as security amount along with the balance fee. Referring to ‘D.’ In Vaishnavi v. State of Telangana, which invalidated policies that allowed colleges to seize students’ certificates until course completion, the judge ruled that the college had no right to retain the certificates.

Objection to TGPSC’s proposal to withdraw appointment letters

Justice Pulla Karthik of the Telangana High Court filed a writ plea challenging the actions of the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TGPSC) in refusing to issue appointment orders to seven candidates even though their hall ticket numbers appeared in the interim election notification dated October 10. The judge was hearing a writ plea filed by Kalakoti Manasa and seven others, who claimed that they were not ordered to be appointed as assistant motor vehicles inspector (AMVI) in the transport department. To the notification dated December 31, 2022. The petitioners alleged that the other candidates had received appointment instructions from the Chief Minister, while the respondent had not given any explanation to the petitioners regarding the rejection of the appointment order. It was alleged that the defendants’ actions unfairly deprived the plaintiffs of their right to employment. They sought directions for immediate issuance of appointment orders for the post of AMVI in the transport department and ensuring all benefits to be obtained as a result at par with other candidates. After hearing the petitioners, the judge directed the government lawyer to seek directions from the TGPSC and posted the matter for further decision.

Conditional bail for businessman with alleged links to drug dealers

Justice G. Radha Rani of the Telangana High Court granted bail to a businessman allegedly involved in a high-profile narcotics case linked to a network of drug suppliers and peddlers. The judge was dealing with the regular bail petition filed by Antonio Obinna Okra Anthony Rafael, who has been detained since 2020. According to the prosecution, the case started on December 16, 2023, based on a complaint that led to the arrest of Jalli Ashik Yadav. 2 Ecstasy pills were seized. Subsequent investigations allegedly involved 101 individuals comprising suppliers, hawkers, consumers and dealers, and the petitioner was identified as a major supplier. Despite these allegations, the petitioner maintained that he did not have any contraband in his possession and pointed out that he has been detained in the central prison in northern Goa since December 25, 2020. The judge observed that there was no direct evidence against the petitioner and expressed skepticism about allegations that he was collaborating with the drug supply from the prison. Considering these factors and the evidence on record, the judge deemed it an appropriate case to grant conditional bail to the plaintiff.