Hyderabad: Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) Commissioner AV Ranganath has approached the Telangana High Court challenging a single-judge order directing his removal from the post.

On July 27, Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti directed the Chief Secretary to relieve Ranganath as HYDRAA Commissioner and appoint a suitable replacement. The order was passed while hearing contempt petitions filed by Shanta Sriram Constructions Private Limited, which alleged that HYDRAA officials had violated court orders and entered its 40-acre property in Lothkunta with around 50 vehicles and 200 personnel.

The court had observed that Ranganath had allegedly become a “law unto himself” and criticised HYDRAA for acting beyond its mandate by bypassing the revenue, irrigation and GHMC departments.

Following the order, Ranganath said he would legally contest all 63 contempt cases filed against him and expressed confidence in the judiciary. He alleged that the cases had been filed by influential encroachers affected by HYDRAA’s efforts to protect lakes and government lands.

Meanwhile, the Telangana government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has backed Ranganath and is expected to challenge the single-judge order before a division bench. The state government has described HYDRAA as one of its major reforms aimed at protecting public assets, lakes and government lands.

The development comes amid continued legal scrutiny of HYDRAA’s enforcement activities and its role in removing alleged encroachments and protecting public properties across Hyderabad.