The Telangana High Court has directed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to immediately hand over custody of Baby Hiya to her intended parents, who were victims in a surrogacy fraud involving Dr. Namratha and Universal Srushti Fertility Centre.

Although the baby was later revealed through DNA testing to have no biological link to them, the Court noted they had been caring for the child since birth, and their names appear on the government-issued birth certificate.

Justice T. Madhavi Devi observed the couple are “real victims” of the scam. Authorities are also permitted to monitor the child’s welfare.

The matter is next listed for hearing on October 15, 2025

The Telangana High Court has directed the state government, police department, and Women Safety Wing to file a detailed compliance report within two weeks concerning the enforcement of the March 29, 2025 circular aimed at preventing misuse of spy cameras.

The matter was brought up by NGO Heaven Homes Society, which alleged unauthorized camera placements in hostels, malls, hotels, bathrooms, and change rooms—violating privacy and safety of women.

The circular instructed identifying camera dealers, requiring stores to display warning stickers under Section 66(E) of the IT Act, and ensuring public safety checks. The next hearing is listed for September 22, 2025.

[Heavens Home Society vs. State of TS]

The Telangana High Court quashed three FIRs against a Twitter user for critical posts about the state Congress government, holding that while the comments were harsh, they fall within political expression protected under Article 19(1)(a).

Justice N. Tukaramji issued detailed guidelines for police and magistrates before registering FIRs over social media posts on political matters.

These include verifying if the complainant is the “person aggrieved,” conducting a preliminary inquiry, requiring prima facie materia, especially in cases of alleged public disorder or defamation, and obtaining legal opinion from the public prosecutor.

[Nalla Balu @ Durgam Shashidhar Goud v. State of Telangana]

The Telangana High Court has strongly criticised the growing trend of personal attacks against judges, warning that such actions undermine judicial authority and public trust.

The Court emphasised that while constructive criticism is acceptable, malicious targeting of judges based on their rulings is unacceptable. It urged lawyers and litigants to maintain professionalism and respect for the judiciary.

The remarks came during a hearing where a petitioner made allegations against a judge.

The court dismissed the petition and reaffirmed the importance of protecting judicial independence from unfounded attacks.

[Anumula Revanth Reddy v State of Telangana and anr.]

The Telangana High Court ruled that a non-signatory to an arbitration agreement may be made a party to proceedings under Section 9 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act if they have a live and proximate connection to the agreement.

The bench observed that respondents who received 95% of the contract value and executed sale agreements cannot escape liability merely because they didn’t sign the arbitration clause.

Relying on Supreme Court precedents, the Court emphasised that arbitration obligations extend beyond strict signatures when conduct shows a clear connection to the agreement. 

(K.Bala Vishnu Raja v. Emaar Hills Township Pvt Ltd & Ors.)

The Telangana High Court on Friday dismissed a challenge to the rule requiring at least three years of active criminal law practice for appointment as Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP).

A Bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin held that the criterion ensures candidates are well-versed in criminal courts and not fresh graduates.

The plea argued that the rule was arbitrary and lacked a verification mechanism, but the Court said verifying credentials was sufficient. 

Stressing the need for experienced lawyers, the Court upheld the recruitment notification and rejected calls for relaxing the eligibility norm.

[Kappera Rajesh v State of Telangana]

The Telangana High Court has quashed criminal proceedings under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, ruling that caste-based insults between a husband and wife cannot attract penal provisions unless made in a public place or witnessed by at least one independent person.

Justice E.V. Venugopal held that the incident occurred within a private residence and formed part of a domestic dispute. 

Relying on Hitesh Verma v. Uttarakhand and Sudhakar v. State, the Court found that the statutory requirement of occurring “within public view” was not satisfied, making continued proceedings an abuse of process. The case was therefore quashed.

The Telangana High Court dismissed a woman’s appeal seeking divorce on grounds of marriage fraud, cruelty, nullity of marriage, and ₹90 lakh alimony, ruling she failed to prove her husband’s impotency.

The wife alleged non-consummation since their 2013 marriage, citing erectile dysfunction linked to rheumatoid arthritis and abandonment in the USA.

The husband denied the charges, producing medical reports showing normal potency and sperm count, and claimed regular marital relations.

The Court noted inconsistencies, absence of complaints to parents or in-laws, and her prior relationship with the husband. Finding no corroborating evidence, it upheld the trial court’s dismissal.

The Telangana High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against the late media baron Ch. Ramoji Rao, in an alleged violation of Section 45S of the RBI Act, holding that criminal liability cannot survive the death of the sole accused.

The Court noted no steps were taken to substitute him, and the State had no intent to prosecute his legal heirs, as criminal liability is personal and cannot be inherited. 

While the RBI argued that HUFs have legal status and can be prosecuted, the Court held that without substitution or allegations against family members, the complaint must abate.

A petition has been filed in the Telangana High Court challenging the government's order to shut down beef shops and slaughterhouses on Independence Day (August 15) and Janmashtami (August 19).

The plea argues that the closure violates fundamental rights, including the freedom to trade and the right to livelihood of butchers and meat sellers. It also questions the legal basis for the ban, claiming it discriminates against certain communities.

The court is expected to hear the matter soon. 

Criticising repeated delays in deciding disqualification pleas, the Supreme Court on July 31 urged Parliament to revisit the Tenth Schedule provisions that give Speakers the power to rule on defections.

A bench led by CJI BR Gavai directed the Telangana Assembly Speaker to decide within three months on pleas seeking the disqualification of ten BRS MLAs who switched to Congress.

The Court warned that persistent delays frustrate the Schedule’s objective and undermine democracy.

Recalling its 2020 ruling, the Court urged that an independent tribunal be established to handle defection matters instead of partisan Speakers to ensure timely and impartial decisions under the anti-defection law.

[Padi Kaushik Reddy v The State Of Telangana And Ors]

The Supreme Court issued a contempt notice to litigant Peddi Raju and his lawyers for making “scurrilous” allegations against sitting judge Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya of the Telangana High Court.

A Bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran said it would not tolerate unfounded attacks on judges. "We can't permit judges to be put in a box and allow any litigant to make such allegations against a judge," the CJI said, rejecting a plea to withdraw the petition.

The allegations were made in a plea to transfer a case in which Telangana CM Revanth Reddy had secured relief. The Court posted the matter for August 11.

The Centre has appointed Justice Puthichira Sam Koshy as Acting Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court following the transfer of incumbent Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul to the Calcutta High Court.

Justice Koshy will hold the post until Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh (CJ of Tripura HC) takes charge in Telangana.

A 1991 advocate-turned-judge, Justice Koshy's legal career spans key roles in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh High Courts, including as Government Advocate and Deputy Advocate General. Elevated in 2013, he joined the Telangana bench in July 2023.

The Telangana High Court has ruled that illicitly distilled liquor (IDL) poses a grave public threat, beyond a mere law and order issue.

A bench dismissed a habeas corpus plea challenging the preventive detention of a repeat IDL offender under Section 3 of the Telangana Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act, 1986.

The Court highlighted the dangers of hooch tragedies, especially in poor communities, and held that such activities seriously endanger public health and safety. It upheld the detention as justified in the larger interest of society.