South Indian actor Nagarjuna Akkineni, who was recently celebrating his son Naga Chaitanya’s engagement, now finds himself in a difficult situation. On August 23, 2024, the Disaster Management and Property Protection Agency (HYDRAA) demolished his convention center located near Shilparamam in Rangareddy district. The action was taken as part of a drive to remove illegal constructions that encroach upon water bodies and public land.
Demolition of Convention Center
Nagarjuna’s convention center, which spanned over 10 acres, was reportedly found to be violating environmental regulations. According to officials, the center had encroached upon Tummidikunta Lake. Specifically, 1.12 acres of land within the Full Tank Level (FTL) and approximately 2 acres within the buffer zone of the lake were occupied by the construction. HYDRAA officials acted upon complaints alleging that the convention center had encroached upon Tammidhi Cheruvu, a nearby water body.
The demolition of the hall was carried out without prior notice, sparking controversy and drawing a strong reaction from Nagarjuna.
Nagarjuna’s Reaction
In response to the demolition, Nagarjuna took to social media to express his dismay. He stated, “I am deeply saddened by the illegal demolition of the convention center. This action was taken against the orders of the court and despite a stay order that was already in place.”
Nagarjuna clarified that his convention center was built on private land and that no laws were violated in the process. He emphasized that he had not encroached on even an inch of public land and that the demolition was based on incorrect information. “As a law-abiding citizen, if the court had ruled against me, I would have willingly demolished the structure myself. However, the case is still pending, and no final decision has been made. It is important to clear up any misconceptions that we engaged in illegal construction or encroachment,” he added.
Legal Battle and Court Relief
Nagarjuna has sought relief from the court following the demolition. He asserted that the officials acted wrongly by demolishing the building without following due legal process. He intends to challenge the demolition in court, aiming to set the record straight and obtain appropriate relief.
The actor’s statement aims to address the public and clarify that his actions were lawful and that the demolition was unwarranted. He hopes to ensure that the public does not hold any false beliefs regarding his involvement in illegal activities.
Environmental Concerns and Public Reactions
The demolition of Nagarjuna’s convention center has sparked a wider debate on environmental conservation and the enforcement of regulations. While the actor maintains his innocence, environmental activists argue that strict actions are necessary to protect natural resources like lakes and water bodies from illegal encroachments.
Public opinion on the issue is divided, with some supporting the demolition as a necessary step to protect the environment, while others believe that due legal process should have been followed before such drastic action was taken.
As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on the court’s decision, which will not only impact Nagarjuna’s case but could also set a precedent for similar cases involving alleged encroachments on public land.
