Hyderabad, July 7 -- The Telangana High Court has set aside a 1999 trial court order directing the state government to hand over two parcels of land on the campus of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) at Erragadda to private claimants, holding that ownership of government land cannot be determined solely on admissions made by public officials.

Allowing an appeal filed by the state government, Justice Suddala Chalapathi Rao ruled that the trial court had relied excessively on admissions made by government officials without adequately examining documentary evidence relating to ownership.

The disputed land comprises two parcels measuring 1.3 acres and 1.2 acres at Bahaloolkhanguda in Erragadda, where the Institute of Mental Health is loc...