HC warns students on admissions to Fatima Owaisi campus amid lake encroachment case

Hyderabad: Telangana high court on Monday cautioned students and parents seeking admission to Barrister Fatima Owaisi Educational Campus (KG-PG) at Bandlaguda that they would be doing so at their own risk, as the institution's status depends on the outcome of an ongoing case.Justice NV Shravan Kumar issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by advocate Vijay Gopal, who alleged inaction by HYDRAA against the institution, which is reportedly constructed within the full tank level of Salkam Cheruvu. The court also warned that the status of students already studying there would be subject to the final verdict. The petitioner, appearing party-in-person, alleged that the institution is run by the Salar-e-Millat Educational Trust, founded by AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, and accused HYDRAA of failing to act despite repeated representations. He raised concerns over ‘selective implementation' of enforcement laws, claiming that while encroachments by middle and lower income groups were being cleared, no action was taken against the high-profile campus housing a residential school and intermediate college. Posting the matter for further hearing on April 30, the court directed the management to prominently display details of the pending case on its notice boards. The judge observed that satellite imagery available in the public domain suggests the institution appears to have been constructed within the lake bed and its buffer zone. Noting discrepancies in the lake's notification status, the court clarified that any further orders would directly impact the upcoming academic session scheduled to begin on June 1. Referring to the satellite images, the court noted that, prima facie, the constructions by the trust require examination under the provisions of the GHMC Act and the TG-bPASS Act, along with relevant rules. The court also issued an interim order restraining the institution from carrying out any further construction within the Salkam Cheruvu area.