Heera Group’s Battle Against Unlawful Land Occupation: A Chronicle of Legal Struggles and Persistent Threats
In a recent press conference, Dr. Nowhera Shaik, the CEO of Heera Group, highlighted the ongoing and alarming issue of unlawful land occupation by organized mafias. Despite receiving clear and favorable orders from both the Supreme Court and the High Court affirming Heera Group’s legal possession of the disputed land, illegal activities and encroachments continue to threaten their property. This article delves into the timeline of events, the legal battles, and the challenges faced by Heera Group, raising critical questions about the motives and actions of various parties involved.
A History of Legal Struggles and Victories
December 2015: Land Acquisition by Heera Retail Supremacy (Hyderabad) Pvt. Ltd.
The troubles for Heera Group began in December 2015, when its subsidiary, Heera Retail Supremacy (Hyderabad) Pvt. Ltd., acquired a piece of land from S.A. Builders and Developers. This acquisition, which was supposed to be a straightforward business transaction, soon turned into a complex legal battle involving allegations of conspiracy, land grabbing, and police complicity.
October 2018: Dr. Nowhera Shaik’s Arrest
The situation took a dramatic turn in October 2018 when Dr. Nowhera Shaik was arrested, allegedly as part of a conspiracy orchestrated by land grabbers, the land mafia, and certain local police officials. This arrest was a significant blow to Heera Group, leading to further complications and casting a shadow of doubt over the company’s activities. However, Heera Group remained undeterred in its pursuit of justice.
November 2018: Legal Victory in High Court
Heera Group’s persistence paid off when, in November 2018, they approached the High Court for the State of Telangana at Hyderabad. On 23rd December 2019, the court issued a favorable order, affirming the legality of their land purchase. This court order was a significant milestone, providing the company with a legal basis to defend its property against encroachers and other unlawful activities.
August 2019: Enforcement Directorate’s Provisional Attachment
However, the legal battles were far from over. In August 2019, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached the land in question, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing disputes. This action by the ED created additional hurdles for Heera Group, complicating their efforts to maintain peaceful possession of their land.
The Struggle to Maintain Possession
January 2021: Dr. Shaik’s Return and Supreme Court’s Intervention
After being granted bail, Dr. Nowhera Shaik returned in January 2021 to oversee Heera Group’s properties. The situation seemed to improve when the Supreme Court issued an order allowing the company to maintain peaceful possession of the land. This order was a significant relief for the company, as it provided legal protection against further encroachments and unlawful activities.
December 2022: Supreme Court Orders Demarcation
On 5th December 2022, the Honorable Supreme Court took a decisive step by ordering the demarcation of the property. The purpose of this demarcation was to clearly establish the boundaries and resolve ongoing disputes, thus providing a clear legal framework for Heera Group to defend its property. The demarcation was carried out by the Deputy Director of Survey and Land Records, as per the court’s directives, and involved the participation of officials from various government departments, including the Revenue Department and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
January 2023: Detailed Demarcation Survey
Following the Supreme Court’s order, a detailed demarcation survey was conducted on 4th January 2023. This survey, carried out in the presence of officials from the Revenue Department, GHMC, and with police protection, was meant to solidify Heera Group’s legal claim to the land. The survey provided a clear and legally recognized boundary, which was expected to prevent further disputes and encroachments.
Escalation of Unlawful Activities
13th January 2024: Violent Attack on Heera Group’s Property
Despite the legal victories and clear court orders, Heera Group’s challenges were far from over. On the night of 13th January 2024, a violent attack was carried out by a group of unknown individuals who arrived in two trucks. The attackers, suspected to be associated with organized crime groups, pelted stones at Heera Group’s security personnel and assaulted them with rods and belts. Some of the attackers were believed to be armed, adding to the severity of the incident. They also broke several locks and forcibly brought women onto the property, further complicating the situation. This incident was promptly reported to Filmnagar Police Station via FIR No. 35/2024, dated 13-01-2024.
5th February 2024: Telangana High Court Orders Probe
In response to the escalating situation, the Telangana High Court, under Honourable Shri Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy, issued an order on 5th February 2024 in Writ Petition No. 2773 of 2024. The court ordered a probe into the actions of area police officers and upheld the peaceful possession of Heera Group’s land. This order was another legal victory for the company, reaffirming their rights and providing them with additional legal protection.
26th June 2024: Unlawful Occupation and Unauthorized Construction
However, the challenges persisted. On 26th June 2024, Heera Group discovered that unknown individuals had unlawfully occupied portions of their land and were engaging in unauthorized construction activities. During a site visit, the Heera Group team faced threats and antisocial behavior from these encroachers, which was promptly reported to the authorities by dialing 100. This incident marked yet another episode in the ongoing saga of land disputes and unlawful activities that have plagued Heera Group for years.
Legal Context and Supporting Orders
The series of events that have unfolded over the years have been shaped by several key legal orders:
- Supreme Court Order on Demarcation (25th January 2023): The demarcation of the property was carried out by the Deputy Director of Survey and Land Records, as indicated by Lr. No A5/39/2023, dated 25/01/2023, and the Collector of Hyderabad District, Lr. No B2/156/2023, dated 24/01/2023.
- Provisional Attachment Order by Enforcement Directorate (16th August 2019): The ED’s provisional attachment order added complexity to the legal battles but did not negate the Supreme Court’s subsequent orders affirming Heera Group’s legal rights.
- Supreme Court Order on Property Sale (28th March 2023): This order affirmed Heera Group’s right to sell the property, further validating their legal claim to the land.
- Telangana High Court Order (5th February 2024): This order maintained the company’s peaceful possession of the land and ordered a probe into the conduct of area police officers, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Heera Group.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The recent series of events raises critical questions about the motives and actions of various parties involved. Despite multiple favorable court orders and clear demarcations of their property, Heera Group continues to face unlawful encroachments and violent attacks. The company remains committed to upholding the law and protecting its rights, as evidenced by their adherence to legal processes and court orders.
Heera Group urges the authorities to take immediate and stringent action against the trespassers and ensure the protection of their property and personnel. The company also calls upon the public and media to recognize the persistent challenges they face and support their efforts to maintain lawful possession of their land. The struggle of Heera Group is not just a battle for property but a fight against organized crime and unlawful activities that threaten the rule of law and the rights of legitimate businesses.
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