Overview
- HYDRAA Commissioner A. V. Ranganath personally appeared on December 5 and offered an unconditional apology, which the bench accepted.
- He told the court his November 27 absence followed emergency flood response at Bachupally and a reported death from toxic fumes, asserting no intent to disrespect the court.
- The bench had previously dismissed his exemption plea after a Form-I notice and warned it could issue a non-bailable warrant if he failed to appear.
- The contempt petition by A. Sudhakar Reddy alleges HYDRAA violated status quo directions at Bathukammakunta, despite orders permitting only limited pre-monsoon works and a June directive not to encroach on his property interest.
- Judges noted petitioner’s photographs showing new structures and significant changes at the site, while the substantive dispute over the works remains under consideration.