Hyderabad, Jan. 30 -- The Telangana High Court on Thursday, January 29, directed the state government to file counter-affidavits within eight weeks on petitions challenging the increase of Backwards Classes (BC) reservations to 42 percent in local body elections.

The court clarified that its interim orders staying the implementation of Government Orders (GOs) 9, 41, and 42 would continue until further directions are issued.

A division bench of the Telangana High Court comprising Chief Justice Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin was hearing a batch of petitions filed by Buttengari Madhava Reddy and others questioning the legality of the government's decision to enhance BC reservations in local self-governing institutions...