Palakollu homeowner paid Rs 2.68 lakh for an addition to his own house; the municipality still sought demolition
In October 2020 Palakollu Municipality ordered a homeowner to remove construction below the water tank of his own house, built with municipal permission, and threatened demolition. He says he paid a penalty of Rs 2,68,678 fixed by the local magistrate; the municipality says paying does not regularise the building. On 11 August 2026 the High Court set the notices aside because they were sent to the wrong address, leaving the municipality free to start again.
This page records what the cited court, tribunal and government records say happened. Findings belong to the court or authority that made them; this register adds none of its own. Names of private individuals are withheld unless a naming gate clears them.
How we verify →Demolition notices set aside on 11 August 2026 for a wrong address; the municipality may issue fresh proceedings.
What happened
The High Court recorded that the homeowner holds municipal permission for his house in Palakollu, and that in October 2020 the municipality, 'at the behest of the some third parties', issued notices calling on him to remove alleged unauthorised construction below the water tank.
The owner told the court he had paid the penalty determined by the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Palakollu, depositing Rs 2,68,678 on 24 July 2025 under section 340 of the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act, and that the municipality could not act against construction for which he had paid the compounding fee. The municipality replied that under G.O.Ms. No. 198 paying a penalty does not regularise an unauthorised construction.
Justice Harinath N. held that the notices had admittedly been issued to the wrong address, set them aside, and left the municipality free to issue fresh proceedings after hearing the owner.
What the owner told the court
“It is also submitted that the petitioner has paid the penalty as determined by the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Palakollu, and an amount of Rs.2,68,678/- was deposited into the account of the Additional Civil Judge, Palakollu, on 24.07.2025.”
W.P. No. 20287 of 2020, common order dated 11 August 2026, para 4 — read the full text
Punished for building on your own land
The construction is inside the owner's own house. He was fined, and still faces demolition, for how he built on property he owns.
What we could not confirm
The notices were prompted by complaints from third parties whom the order does not identify; it does not say whether they claimed any harm. The penalty payment is the owner's statement as recorded by the court. The case has taken almost six years so far.