The Telangana High Court has issued an interim stay on the demolition of the N-Convention Centre, owned by Telugu actor Akkineni Nagarjuna, located in the Madhapur area of Hyderabad.
The demolition, initiated by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRA), was halted following an urgent plea by Nagarjuna.
The controversy surrounding the N-Convention stems from allegations that the structure was built on land encroaching upon the Full Tank Level (FTL) of Tummidikunta Lake and its buffer zone.
According to authorities, the encroachment has contributed to severe water logging issues in the vicinity, prompting the demolition drive.
Nagarjuna reacts
Nagarjuna, through social media and legal channels, vehemently contested the demolition, arguing that the land in question was legally owned Patta land and not part of any lake or its buffer zone.
He expressed dismay over the demolition process, which he claimed occurred contrary to existing court orders.
“Pained by the unlawful manner of demolition carried out in respect of N Convention, contrary to existing stay orders and Court cases,” Nagarjuna stated in a post on X, emphasizing his commitment to legal compliance and readiness to abide by court decisions.
The High Court’s decision to stay the demolition came after Justice T Vinod Kumar reviewed the case and acknowledged the urgency and complexity of the legal issues involved.
Public Reaction
The stay order was granted based on further investigation into the land ownership and environmental impact claims, providing temporary relief to Nagarjuna and his co-owner, Nalla Preetham, who manage the convention center through N3 Enterprises.
The demolition and the legal battle have highlighted the environmental concerns regarding urban encroachments on natural water bodies and raised questions about the enforcement of land laws and the rights of property owners in Hyderabad.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with many expressing support for Nagarjuna’s stance on social media, while others pointed out the necessity of stringent action against encroachments for environmental preservation.