Andhra HC directs govt not to proceed with demolishing YSRCP offices unilaterally
Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Jul 4: In a major relief to YSR Congress Party, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday directed the state government to exercise its power to demolish the opposition party's offices only if their construction is against public interest and cause public nuisance, among other reasons.
The court issued these directions to the state government after hearing a bunch of petitions filed by the opposition party against government notices to the YSRCP on its party offices located at some places in the state.
The court noted that if the deviations in the construction of YSRCP district offices were minor, minimal or trivial and do not affect the public at large, then the government authorities shall not resort to their demolition.
"The power of demolition should not be resorted to unless the overwhelming public interest is involved," the court said.
It directed the state government authorities to follow the due procedure in accordance with law and also enabled the opposition party to submit its documents, explanations and other proof within a fortnight pertaining to its district offices construction.
The court directed the state government to accord due opportunity of hearing to YSRCP and also observed that no coercive steps should be taken while probing the constructions.
Allowing the opposition party to avail and exhaust all the remedies available under law, it also directed the authorities to act fairly and objectively in consonance with the provisions of law.
A major controversy erupted in the southern state recently in the wake of YSRCP's under-construction central party office demolition at Tadepalli, and subsequent notices to its district party offices which are under various stages of construction.
The TDP-led government also comprising BJP and Janasena has alleged that 18 such offices were 'totally unauthorised buildings.'
Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh pegged the value of these offices at Rs 2,000 crore.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
