Padmalaya: HC wants affidavits

By S A Ishaqui

Hyderabad, Jan. 21: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed the state government and Padmalaya Studios to file counter affidavits in connection to a petition filed by the TRS MLA, Mr T. Harish Rao, challenging alienation of land to Padmalaya Studios.
He filed petition seeking a writ of mandamus to declare the action of the government in ratifying alienation of 5.53 acres in favour of Padmalaya Studios Pvt Ltd. at Jubilee Hills.
The petitioner submitted to the court that the government allotted land to the studios owned by actor G. Krishna and his family members in 1983. After the recipient failed to construct the studio complex, the government initiated steps to take back the land from them in 2006.
The government passed an order on March 30 , 2007, directing Padmalaya Studios to hand over the land to the tahsildar of Shaikpet mandal.
The MLA alleged that the government changed its mind and ratified the alienation and allowed the respondent to enter a third party agreement with a firm to develop the land.
Mr Gandra Mohan Rao, counsel for the petitioner, told the court that the recipients have entered to a sale and development transaction with Zee Telefilms and another firm over the land. He contended that the transaction was illegal as per the AP land Alienation Rules.