Hyderabad, Aug. 27 -- The Telangana High Court has directed Forest Department officials not to interfere with the peaceful possession, administration and management of a mosque, madrasa and old-age home at Ananthagiri Hills in Vikarabad district without following due legal process, while making clear that its order cannot be used to justify encroachment on any Reserve Forest land.

Justice Surepalli Nanda passed the order on a petition filed by Mohammed Faiyaz Ali, the Mutawalli (person responsible for managing a Waqf institution) of the Sunni Masjid Osmania, Deeni Madarsa and Yousufain Old Age Home, a Waqf property spread over roughly 14,000 square yards.

'Officials entered premises during Friday prayers'

He alleged that Forest Departm...