BRS alleges constitutional violations in GO 134 aimed to investigate its leaders’ lands

The BRS has challenged Telangana government’s GO 134 ordering an inquiry into 16 land parcels, alleging political vendetta and bias. RS Praveen Kumar demanded an impartial investigation, questioned the committee’s composition and raised allegations concerning land dealings involving Congress leaders.

Hyderabad: The BRS has raised strong objections to the Congress government’s GO 134, which ordered an inquiry into 16 parcels of land, alleging that the move selectively targeted its leaders. The party accused the government of including properties owned by unrelated individuals and lands disclosed by its leaders in election affidavits or acquired before they entered politics in the scope of the investigation.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Tuesday, BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar termed the order unconstitutional. He alleged that IAS officers, including Sanjay Jha, who he claimed was politically biased against the BRS, had been included in the committee constituted to scrutinise the properties.

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He said he had written to Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju on the matter, seeking action in accordance with the law. He also demanded a fair inquiry into the land transactions.

The BRS leader questioned the inclusion of properties belonging to nominated former MLA Elvis Stephenson in Secunderabad, asking how they were relevant to the inquiry against BRS leaders. “The ruling Congress is pursuing vendetta politics while farmers face distress and the State remains unprepared for the El Niño threat. Though Elvis Stephenson is not a BRS leader, he was deliberately included,” he said, recalling the Cash-for-Vote case involving Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

Praveen Kumar said former Minister T Harish Rao had demanded an investigation by a sitting Supreme Court judge into the allegations concerning their lands. However, the government chose to appoint a committee of officials, which he said indicated its political motives. He termed the exercise an attempt by the Congress government to divert attention from its failures.

He alleged that Congress leaders, rather than BRS leaders, were involved in land dealings and real estate activities. He accused MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy and MLA Malreddy Rangareddy of alleged irregularities in a land deal involving 2,600 acres in Ibrahimpatnam. He further alleged that false FIRs were being registered in connection with the disputes to intimidate property owners and demanded action against those responsible.

Praveen Kumar also raised allegations concerning land transactions involving Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s family and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. He questioned an alleged purchase by the Chief Minister’s daughter, Naimisha Reddy, of land worth Rs 80 crore for Rs 10 crore. He also questioned alleged properties held by Ponguleti’s family in several areas of Hyderabad.

“We will release detailed information on their land dealings and encroachments in a phased manner,” he said.

He also sought the arrest and custodial interrogation of a former Abdullapurmet tahsildar, alleging that the officer had accepted bribes in land-related matters. Praveen Kumar said the government must ensure that all orders and legislation comply with constitutional provisions and urged the Chief Secretary to act impartially.