Location: Hyderabad
Date: July 10, 2025
In a significant legal observation, Justice T. Vinod Kumar of the Telangana High Court strongly criticized Chintapalli Sub-Inspector (SI) Ramamurthy from Nalgonda district for illegally interfering in a 32-acre civil land dispute in Kurmed village.
The court raised serious concerns about police involvement in land surveys and *civil negotiations, both of which fall under the purview of the *revenue and judicial authorities, not the police department.
Petition Filed by TV Anchor Shilpa Chakravarthy and Jada Kalyan
The case came into focus following a legal petition by television anchor Shilpa Chakravarthy and *Jada Kalyan, who accused SI Ramamurthy and **Mohammad Abdul Aziz—the original landowner—of *harassment and unlawful pressure tactics.
The duo had legally purchased the land in *2017, backed by a *permanent injunction and police protection orders from the civil court. Despite this, they allege continued interference by the police and repeated summons to settle the case within the police station premises.
“It Is Not the Job of the Police to Conduct Land Surveys” – HC
Justice T. Vinod Kumar made a sharp observation during the hearing:
“It is not the job of the police to conduct land surveys or hold civil negotiations.”
This remark underlines the illegality of police intervention in civil disputes and reaffirms that only revenue officials and civil courts have the legal right to adjudicate land matters.
High Court Issues Notices to Top Officials
The High Court has issued notices demanding an explanation from several senior government and police officials, including:
- Principal Secretary, Home Department
- Director General of Police (DGP), Telangana
- Superintendent of Police (SP), Nalgonda
- Deputy SP, Devarakonda
- Sub-Inspector Ramamurthy (personal notice)
The court has also permitted the petitioners’ legal counsel to serve remaining notices directly.
Allegations: Illegal Surveys and Abuse of Authority
According to the petition, SI Ramamurthy allegedly *summoned caretakers and land staff to the police station, forcing them to remain there for extended hours. It is also claimed that the officer **conducted unauthorized land surveys, violating *court-issued stay orders.
The petitioners emphasized that multiple FIRs were filed against certain private individuals involved in the land conflict, yet no substantive police action has been taken to date.
Judiciary Acts to Protect Civil Rights
The Telangana High Court’s swift action in this matter underscores the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that law enforcement stays within its defined boundaries and does not attempt to mediate civil issues outside the court’s jurisdiction.
This case has sparked renewed discussion on the *misuse of police powers in civil land disputes, particularly in rural districts, where *land encroachments and ownership conflicts are frequent.
Key Highlights
- Telangana High Court reprimands Chintapalli SI for interfering in a civil land dispute in Nalgonda.
- 32-acre property in Kurmed village bought by Shilpa Chakravarthy and Jada Kalyan in 2017.
- Despite court injunctions, police allegedly pressurized petitioners to settle the matter informally.
- High Court asks five top officials, including DGP and Home Secretary, to respond.
- Justice T. Vinod Kumar declares land survey by police as illegal and unauthorized.