The Telangana High Court has stepped into a significant legal dispute concerning the expansion of Hyderabad's civic limits. On Wednesday, a division bench directed the state government to formally respond to a batch of petitions challenging recent ordinances that merged 27 urban local bodies into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
Court Issues Notice, Sets Future Hearing Date
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin took up the petitions. The bench formally issued notices to the Telangana state government, seeking its official stand on the matter. The court directed the government to file its counter affidavits within a period of four weeks. Subsequently, the bench adjourned the case and posted it for further hearing on January 28, 2026.
Petitioners Challenge Constitutionality of Merger
The legal challenge was initiated by G Barigala Raju, a resident of Thukkuguda in Rangareddy district—one of the municipalities slated for merger. Represented by senior counsel L Ravichander, the petitioner argued that the merger directly impacts him as a registered voter and a prospective candidate in upcoming municipal elections.
The petitions specifically question Ordinances No. 9, 10, and 11, which were issued by the state government on December 1. These ordinances facilitate the merger of 27 municipalities and municipal corporations located within the Outer Ring Road into the GHMC. The petitioners have also challenged the subsequent amendments made to the GHMC Act itself.
The core legal argument presented alleges that the government's decisions are unconstitutional, arbitrary, and violate fundamental rights enshrined under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution. Ravichander contended that the proper procedure for altering city limits required a transparent, notification-based process involving consultation with the corporation and prior publication, which was allegedly bypassed in this instance.
State Seeks Time, Legal Implications Ahead
During the hearing, counsels representing the Telangana state government requested an adjournment, seeking time to prepare and place the state's official position on record. The court granted this request, leading to the 2026 hearing date.
The petitioner has sought an interim direction from the court to suspend the operation of the three ordinances and the amendments to the GHMC Act until the final disposal of the case. The outcome of this legal battle will have far-reaching implications for the governance, territorial limits, and civic administration of a significantly expanded Hyderabad metropolitan area. The court's final decision will determine the validity of the state's method of expanding the capital's municipal corporation.
