Telangana High Court on Friday dispensed with the appearance of Principal Secretary (Finance) Sandeep Kumar Sultania in a contempt of court case over the State government’s failure to remit stamp duty surcharge to the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB).Mr. Sultania appeared before the court on Friday after Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka had earlier directed the Hyderabad Police Commissioner to arrest him in the contempt case filed by former SCB member Ramakrishna. The arrest order, issued on July 10, was for the alleged non-compliance with the High Court’s directions to remit the surcharge to the SCB.Mr. Sultania, personally appearing before the bench, informed the court that on May 16, an amount of ₹25 crore was already remitted to the SCB towards pending surcharge on stamp duty. The remaining sum would be remitted in three instalments, he assured the bench. Following this, the judge directed him to file an affidavit in the matter. In the order passed on July 10, the judge directed the Police Commissioner to release the officer on bail if the latter furnished a bond of ₹5,000. Accordingly, he was granted bail. While hearing contentions in the case, the judge observed that over 100 contempt of court matters were pending against the Finance Secretary on his bench. “What will he do we do when there is no money with the State…,” the judge said. With little funds and resources at its disposal, the State government should float welfare schemes only for the needy and eligible persons, the judge said. “If the present system goes on like this... then the day is not far when we will have nothing… alarm bells are ringing,” the judge remarked.The contempt case was adjourned to August 19 for next hearing. Published - August 07, 2026 09:23 pm IST