Hyderabad, June 9 -- The Telangana High Court on Monday, June 8, directed private companies to file counter-affidavits on the allocation of temple land and other parcels in Sitarampur village in Shabad mandal of Ranga Reddy district, which were allegedly handed over to them at nominal prices.

A bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin issued the directions while hearing a public interest litigation filed by social activist Perala Shekhar Rao, who has challenged the acquisition of 1,148 acre of land in Sitarampur.

Petitioner questions legality of temple land acquisition

Counsel for the petitioner contended that acquiring temple land under the Land Acquisition Act was legally untenable and liable to be set asid...