HC pulls up officials over Narsingi graveyard survey

The alleged encroachment on the Narsingi Muslim graveyard came up before the Telangana High Court in a contempt case on Tuesday. Dissatisfied with the revenue authorities’ response, Justice C.V. Bhasker Reddy directed the concerned Tahsildar to produce relevant records, particularly those relating to a fresh survey ordered on March 12, 2025.

The management of the Narsingi Muslim graveyard had earlier filed a writ petition alleging encroachment on land in Narsingi mandal earmarked and used as a Muslim burial ground. After its online application failed to yield results, the management approached the court seeking relief.

On March 12, 2025, the court directed revenue authorities to conduct a survey in accordance with law, after issuing notices to all concerned parties. In the present contempt petition, the management alleged wilful and deliberate non-compliance with the order.

The revenue authorities defended their action, claiming they had conducted a survey “as on ground”. The Waqf Board, also a party to the proceedings, disputed this claim, stating that it had not received any notice. It maintained that the survey, if conducted, was not in accordance with the court’s directions.

Justice Bhasker Reddy criticised the revenue authorities, observing that instead of purging themselves of contempt, they had argued the merits of the case, lending credence to the allegations of contempt.

To proceed with adjudicating the allegations, the judge directed the revenue authorities to produce the complete records relating to the survey at the next hearing, demonstrating compliance with the court’s order in the original writ petition.

- L Ravichander