Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

HC reprimands VMC Commissioner

By Our Legal Correspondent

HYDERABAD Feb. 18. The Vijayawada Municipal Commissioner, Praveen Prakash, was severely reprimanded and warned by a Division Bench of the AP High Court on Tuesday. The Bench expressed its displeasure over his failure to follow the rule of law.

Mr. Praveen Prakash faced the wrath of the Division Bench comprising the acting Chief Justice, Motilal B. Naik and Justice Dalva Subramanyam, who were hearing a writ appeal filed by the corporation.

The case deals with the dispute over possession of shops in the CVR Municipal Complex in Vijayawada. One Sriram had been the highest bidder for the shops, but the locks put up by him were removed by corporation staff without notice.

When he challenged this, the single judge upheld his contention and directed the corporation to give the shops back to him. The corporation filed an appeal and after perusal of records the Commissioner was asked to appear in person and explain his attitude.

When Mr. Prakash appeared before the Bench on an earlier occasion he did not express any repentance. The Bench directed him to file an affidavit explaining the issue and indicated that the court was taking a serious view of the matter.

When the case came up for hearing on Tuesday, Mr. Prakash tendered his unqualified and unconditional apology and expressed his regrets. The Bench, speaking through the acting Chief Justice, at one stage wondered aloud whether the apology was sincere or due to compulsion.

The Bench initially wanted to direct the Chief Secretary to enter into the confidential records of the officer that he had been warned by the court. At this stage Mr. Prakash repeatedly asked for forgiveness and expressed his regrets. The Bench warned him and directed him not to repeat such lapses.

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