Hyderabad:A two-judge panel of the Telangana High Court, comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Moinuddin, will continue to hear a writ plea filed by a group of doctors challenging the exclusion of PG diploma holders from promotions to the post of special grade civil surgeon. The panel was dealing with a writ plea filed by Sree Rama kanth Rao and three others. The petitioners contended that creating a distinction between PG diploma and PG degree holders in the cadre of civil surgeon specialist, amounted to arbitrary and unconstitutional discrimination. It was argued that despite the recommendations of the Anomalies Committee in 2014 and directions of the High Court in an earlier order passed in 2017, the authorities failed to act and instead went ahead with promotions in disregard of the claims of petitioners. It was alleged that their rights have been kept in “cold storage” while the government proceeded to fill vacancies. The petitioners sought a directions to amend the Special Rules with retrospective effect and to consider them for promotion from the date vacancies arose. The panel posted the matter for further hearing. HC quashes alleged poll bribery proceedingsJustice K. Lakshman of the Telangana High Court quashed criminal proceedings against three accused in connection with alleged election bribery in Hyderabad. The judge was hearing criminal petition filed by Malleli Murali and two others. According to prosecution, cash of `1.9 lakh along with a voter list and pamphlets of a contesting candidate from Chevella Lok Sabha constituency, was seized by the police from the possession of the petitioners. It was alleged that the money was intended for distribution to voters in violation of the model code of conduct. Counsel for the petitioners contended that the complaint and chargesheet lacked the essential ingredients of the offences of bribery, disobedience to order promulgated by public servant and abetment. Counsel argued that no voter or independent witness was examined to establish inducement of electoral rights, and that the mandatory procedure under law was not followed by the investigating officer. The public prosecutor opposed the criminal petitions contending that serious allegations and material evidence existed against the three accused. It was also argued that the petitioners were faculty members of a college run by the brother of G. Ranjith Reddy who is arrayed as Accused No. 4, who is a contesting candidate. The judge observed that the allegations, even if taken at face value, did not disclose the offences alleged and lacked the ingredients of bribery or abetment. The judge held that the continuation of proceedings amounted to abuse of process of law. Accordingly, the judge allowed the criminal petitions and quashed the criminal proceedings against the accused.HC admits plea over HCA’s club exclusionsJustice Nagesh Bheemapaka of the Telangana High Court on Monday admitted a writ plea challenging the decisions of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) for allegedly not allowing 57 member clubs to participate in general body meetings. The judge is hearing a writ plea filed by Classic Cricket Club challenging the so-called adjourned 87th annual general meeting of the association as illegal and void ab initio. It was argued that member clubs were arbitrarily disallowed from participating in the general body meetings and such exclusion violated the rules, regulations and byelaws of the Association, as well as the Constitution. The club sought for a declaration of its right to attend, participate, and deliberate in the general body meetings of HCA. The petitioner would also challenge the decisions taken in the Apex Council meetings held in July 2025, and in subsequent meetings allegedly convened without valid quorum, terming them arbitrary and unconstitutional. The petitioner also pressed for setting aside of the disputed meetings and resolutions. The government pleader sought time for instructions and for filing a response in the matter. HC admits plea on service regularisation of forest officerJustice Pulla Karthik of the Telangana High Court took on file a writ plea challenging the regularisation of service of a forest beat officer only with prospective effect. The judge is hearing a plea filed by K. Venkateswara Rao. The petitioner is questioning a government order of March 2017 issued by the state environment, forests, science and technology department, regularising his services from a later date instead of retrospectively from the date of initial appointment in 1987. He contended that he is entitled to continuity of service from his first appointment though without claim for pecuniary benefits for the period between 1997 and 2006. The petitioner would argue that restricting regularisation prospectively is arbitrary and contrary to the Constitution. The judge directed the respondents including the state of Telangana, finance department and forest authorities to file...