Hyderabad, Feb. 11 -- The Telangana High Court on Tuesday, February 10, directed multiple government departments to file detailed counter-affidavits explaining the steps taken to determine the Full Tank Level (FTL) of several lakes within the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits and the measures adopted to protect them from encroachments.

The court warned that failure to file the counters within two weeks would attract a penalty of Rs 5,000, to be deposited with the State Legal Services Authority.

Making it clear that this was the final opportunity, the court adjourned the hearing for four weeks. It also instructed all parties to submit written arguments at least three days before the next hearing.

The directions ...