Defence Estates Officer issues eviction notice to 5 Secunderabad temples

HYDERABAD: The Defence Estates Officer (DEO) has served an eviction notice to trustees of five temples in the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) limits, alleging that they were built on defence land. In the notice, DEO Dinesh Reddy stated that the temples — Pochamma, Peddamma, Beerappa, Yellamma and the main temple — were occupying 1,306 square metres (0.32 acres) of land reserved for defence purposes by the central government for exclusive use of the SCB. A dairy shop, a sweets shop and a parking lot adjoining the premises were also listed as illegal occupations.

Trustees summoned with documents

The trustees were directed to appear before the DEO on September 30 with documents to support their ownership claims. “I request all the trustees to meet me with the necessary papers, and any evidence they intend to present to prove that the land belongs to them, so that we can arrive at a viable solution. If they fail to appear, a decision will be taken ex parte,” Reddy said.

Temples said to be over two decades old

Trustees maintained they were unaware of the land being classified as defence property. “All these temples were constructed more than 20 years ago without objections from the government or cantonment officials. We were never informed earlier that this was defence land,” said C Venkateshwarlu, a trustee. Another trustee, U Murali, added: “We are willing to pay a fine or comply with any conditions, as long as the temples remain intact.”

Outcome to be decided on September 30

Officials said the September 30 hearing would determine ownership. “If it is proven that the land belongs to the trustees, the status quo will be maintained. If it is deemed to be defence property, the central government will decide the course of action. In that case, demolition cannot be ruled out,” said a judge associated with the case, requesting anonymity.