Telangana govt unlikely to recover salary from Danam Nagender - The HinduUpdated - September 29, 2026 05:45 pm IST - HYDERABAD:Danam Nagender. File | Photo Credit: GIRI KVSThe Telangana government is unlikely to recover the salary and other benefits paid to former Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender for the period between April 23, 2024 and the date of the final judicial verdict, officials said.The Telangana High Court, in its September 18, 2026 judgment, held that Mr. Nagender incurred disqualification as an MLA with effect from April 23, 2024. It was later upheld by the Supreme Court. He filed his nomination as Congress candidate for the Secunderabad Parliament seat on April 24, 2024 while continuing to be a BRS MLA. The government has declared the Khairatabad Assembly seat vacant in a Gazette notification on September 26, 2026.The question now being examined is whether the salary, allowances and other benefits drawn by Mr. Nagender as an MLA after April 23, 2024 would have to be returned to the government.Officials said there was no provision for automatic recovery of salary and perks merely because the court subsequently held that the MLA stood disqualified with retrospective effect. They said there was also no specific court direction in the disqualification proceedings ordering recovery of the salary or other benefits.“If somebody approaches the court seeking recovery of the salary and the court passes an order to that effect, the government will honour the decision,” an official said.Officials also recalled the controversy over the Governor’s quota nominations of M. Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan as a precedent for the government’s position. They were appointed in January 2024 but the Supreme Court stayed their appointments in August 2025.The government subsequently pursued the matter through the courts and fresh appointments were eventually made following the legal proceedings. Officials said there was no recovery of the salaries and allowances drawn by Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan during the period in which they functioned as MLCs.The government’s argument is that salary and allowances are paid for services rendered by a person while he or she is legally occupying a legislative position. The mere fact that the appointment or continuation in office is challenged in court does not, by itself, make the person ineligible to draw the remuneration, officials argued.They maintained that the same principle would apply in Mr. Nagender’s case unless a competent court specifically directs recovery. The issue could, however, be raised separately before a court. Officials said the government would comply with any judicial direction on recovery if such a matter is brought before the courts.Published - September 29, 2026 05:43 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }