Actor Nagarjuna Akkineni’s state-of-the-art convention centre in Hyderabad was pulled down by the newly formed Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRA) on August 23 for allegedly encroaching upon Tummidikunta lake’s full tank level area. The actor termed the demolition of N-Convention Centre “unlawful” in a post on X. He approached the Telangana high court which ordered a stay on the demolition drive and issued notices to HYDRA and the state government.
HYDRA had brought down almost the entire structure by 11 a.m. while the stay order was passed by the high court around 1.40 p.m. The convention centre is jointly owned by Nagarjuna and his friend, N. Prretham, and is managed by N3 Enterprises.
HYDRA’s action follows complaint by roads and buildings minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy who accused the actor of encroaching upon three-and-a-half acres of land which was originally part of Tummidikunta. Defending its action, HYDRA commissioner A.V. Ranganath said, “The demolition comes after years of allegations that N-Convention Centre has been manipulating the legal system and processes to continue its commercial activities on unauthorised structures within the FTL and buffer zones.”
On his part, Nagarjuna has clarified that he has done nothing in violation of law and “not even an inch of tank plan is encroached”. His clarification further adds, “In respect of the building constructed inside the private land, there is a stay order granted against any earlier illegal notice for demolition… No notice was issued prior to carrying out the demolition…” Needless to add, the actor will seek appropriate relief from court in relation to the “wrong actions”.