Harish Rao demands immediate action against Rs 7,000 crore land scam in Nadergul

BRS leader T Harish Rao alleged a Rs 7,000 crore land encroachment in Nadergul, accusing firms linked to Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy’s family. He demanded immediate action and warned of protests if authorities fail to act

Hyderabad: Charging the Congress government with aiding a massive Rs 7,000 crore land encroachment in Nadergul, BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao alleged the involvement of companies linked to the family of Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. He demanded that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, HYDRAA and other authorities take immediate measures, including demolition of illegal structures and arrest of those involved.

He also demanded that the government restore land rights to farmers cultivating the lands for generations. He warned that if the government or HYDRAA fails to act, BRS leaders would visit the lands on Monday and demolish the illegal structures.

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Following a meeting with Nadergul farmers at Telangana Bhavan on Sunday, Harish Rao spoke to mediapersons, alleging that 373 acres of prime government land in Survey No. 613 (new 119) was illegally encroached upon despite clear High Court rulings affirming its government ownership. He said those meant to protect public assets have turned predators, accusing senior Congress leaders of orchestrating the grab using political influence, police backing and hired muscle.

He said nearly 600 farmers who cultivated the land for generations were now being denied access. “Bouncers were deployed, borewells were destroyed and false cases were filed. Women farmers are being intimidated and offered money to vacate,” he said.

Detailing the ownership trail, the BRSLP deputy leader said an individual, Shivraj Bahadur, had illegally sold the land in 2016 to firms such as Alpha, Omega and Unitech despite restrictions under the Land Ceiling Act. The Kandukur RDO declared these transactions invalid and included the lands in the prohibited lands list of the Dharani portal.

The RDO’s decision was upheld by both the Single and Division Benches of the High Court in October 2022, which also directed criminal proceedings against the encroachers. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court, with no stay granted so far.

“Even the Bhu Bharati portal launched by the Congress government has these lands in the prohibited lands list. Despite clear government records and court orders, the State government has failed to safeguard these lands,” he said, adding that former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy had declared the lands as government properties in the State Assembly in 2008 and handed them over to TSIIC for industrial development. During the BRS regime, the land was safeguarded and placed in the prohibited lands list.

Harish Rao stated that companies like Kohinoor Group, Shilpa Infra and others, linked to the Minister’s family members, including his son, were fencing the land and attempting to establish control. “Harsha Reddy, son of the Revenue Minister, is a director in multiple firms involved, including Shilpa Infra and Crystal Mansions India Pvt Ltd, linked to AQ Square Realtors, which have been putting up boards and trying to take control of the land,” he explained.

The BRS leader also pointed to environmental violations, stating that parts of the encroached land fall within the Full Tank Level and buffer zone of Lacchamma Kunta, with feeder channels destroyed. He targeted HYDRAA over its inaction in safeguarding the water bodies despite tall claims. “HYDRAA targets the poor but ignores powerful encroachers?” he asked, warning that BRS leaders would visit the site if authorities failed to act immediately.