Devaryamjal land case: Documents of Nizam era posing challenge to officials

The documents, which are mostly in chaste Urdu, are being translated into English which is causing delay in submitting a final report on the case

Hyderabad: The Nizam-era documents obtained from the State Archives are posing a new challenge to the ACB and Vigilance departments investigating the Devaryamjal lands issue. The documents, which are mostly in chaste Urdu, are being translated into English which is causing delay in submitting a final report on the case to the IAS Officers’ Committee which is investigating the complaints of land encroachment against former Minister Eatala Rajender.

Sources said the investigating agencies had already employed the services of some senior Urdu language teachers and experts to translate the documents. However, as the Urdu used in the documents belongs to the Nizam era and contains terminology of revenue department of that era, it was proving to be a tough job for the language experts to translate it in a proper manner. About 1,525 acres land was gifted by the then Nizam in 1924-25 to Sri Sita Rama Swamy temple at Devaryamjal, following the requests made by Ramidi Pullaiah who worked in the Nizam’s court.

---

The officials said they were preparing the final report which will be submitted to the IAS Officers’ Committee along with all the crucial documents including those collected from the State Archives along with the translated copies, in a couple of days. They have also completed questioning all the 60 officers and employees of different departments during whose term the lands were encroached and illegal constructions were taken up. The explanations given by these officials for their actions, also will be included in the final report.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the alleged encroachment of lands by the former Minister’s son Nithin Reddy at Ravalkole, also picked up pace. The officials who spoke to the complainant Peetla Mahesh and examined the documents submitted by him over the last two days, are now verifying the files available with the revenue department. Mahesh lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister alleging that Nithin Reddy encroached upon about 10.11 acres belonging to his family.

Led by Medchal-Malkajgiri district in-charge collector Swetha Mohanty, the officials are digging up old files since 1956 including the 38 (e) certificates issued in 1975 naming Mahesh’s grandfather Narsimha as the protected tenant of the said land under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act 1975-76. However, the officials could not find the documents in the official records so far. They are also investigating as to any other cases were filed with regard to the controversial land.

Also read:

Investigation on Devaryamjal temple lands nearing completion

Devaryamjal land encroachment: Committee of Officers to submit report in couple of days

---

Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.

Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .

---