Days after protesting students of University of Hyderabad were lathi-charged, the Supreme Court on April 3 ordered the State of Telangana to halt all developmental activities in the Kancha Gachibowli area of Hyderabad, citing large-scale felling of trees and environmental concerns.

The Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government and the Prayagraj Development Authority to pay 1 million (10 lakh) rupees in compensation to six individuals whose homes were unlawfully demolished in 2021. The court condemned the demolitions as a violation of constitutional rights and ordered the payment to be made within six weeks.

The Congress party-led Telangana government is facing backlash after police used force against protesting students at the University of Hyderabad and detained a journalist covering the demonstrations. The protests erupted over the state government’s decision to auction 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, which students and activists claim is vital for biodiversity and ecological balance.