Latest news with #BhoodanAct
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Hyderabad ED raids suspects in Bhoodan land scam
HYDERABAD: Officials of the Enforcement Directorate, Hyderabad zone, conducted raids at the residences of a few persons in connection with alleged The agency officials conducted searches at multiple residences in the Old City, including the homes of Munawar Khan, Khadeer Unnisa, Sharfan and Abdus Shukur. The ED suspects Munawar Khan and Khadeer Unnisa of being involved in the illegal sale of Bhoodan lands. Earlier, the agency had questioned former Rangareddy district collector and senior IAS officer Amoy Kumar, who is facing allegations in connection with Bhoodan land rights transfers to the above persons. Agency sources stated that there is a controversy regarding approximately 103 acres of Bhoodan land located under Survey Nos. 181 and 182 in Nagaram village, Maheshwaram mandal. Of this, nearly 50 acres have reportedly been encroached upon. These 50 acres were illegally registered in the name of private parties who later divided the land into plots and began selling them. The matter is currently sub judice, and a court stay has been imposed on transactions related to the disputed land. The sources stated that the investigations revealed large financial transactions linked to the illegal sales, prompting Vigilance inquiries. Following this, the ED registered cases based on probes. ED records statements of ex-MLAs in Bhoodan land irregularities issue The ED officials also summoned a few former MLAs and recorded their statements in connection with Bhoodan land irregularities. After the investigation, the agency began conducting raids targeting not only those who originally sold the plots but also those who purchased the disputed land and later resold it through real estate companies. The key figure in the case is Khadeer Unnisa, whose father had originally donated the 50 acres to the Bhoodan Board. However, in 2021, Khadeer Unnisa claimed inheritance rights over the land and petitioned for its transfer in her name. Revenue officials acted with undue haste in registering the land in Khadeer Unnisa's name without conducting a proper inquiry. The ED suspects collusion involving the then collector Amoy Kumar and other lower-level revenue staff. The agency officials stated that subsequently, Khadeer Unnisa and others allegedly divided the land into plots and sold them to several buyers, including politicians, IAS and IPS officers. Property rates in Nagaram and Maheshwaram have skyrocketed, making these sales highly lucrative. As per the Bhoodan Act, sale or private transaction of Bhoodan land is prohibited. Thus, the registration of 50 acres in Khadeer Unnisa's name has raised serious questions, and ED officials have already recorded statements from Amoy Kumar and others involved in the process. Monday's raids are creating high tension among IAS, IPS officers and politicians as each buyer reportedly purchased at least 15 guntas.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Telangana HC issues notices to 76 respondents, including IPS, IAS officers, in Bhoodan land transactions plea
Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy of the Telangana High Court on Thursday (April 24, 2025) issued notices to 76 respondents, including some IAS and IPS officers, in a writ petition seeking an inquiry into alleged illegal grabbing of Bhoodan lands in Nagaram village of Maheshwaram mandal in Ranga Reddy district. After hearing contentions of petitioner Birla Mallesh's counsel L. Ravichander, the judge observed that prima facie the lands under survey numbers 181, 182, 194, and 195 of Nagaram village appear to be vested with the Bhoodan Board as per Section 14 of Bhoodan Act. In the backdrop of serious allegations made against the persons in high positions, the judge directed the Ranga Reddy district collector and sub-registrars of Maheshwaram and L.B. Nagar to forthwith include the said lands in the list of prohibited properties. 'The respondents are further directed not to change, alter, or alienate the said lands in any manner until further orders,' the judge ordered. Justice Bhaskar Reddy also said that the petitioner should not be permitted to withdraw the writ petition in view of the 'serious allegations made against the senior public officials and as public interest is involved'. Top officials who were among the respondents to receive notices in the case are Navin Mittal IAS, D. Amoy Kumar IAS, S. Harish IAS, Ravi Gupta IPS, Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat IPS, T. Srinivas Rao IPS, Sowmya Mishra IPS, Swati Lakra IPS and Tarun Joshi IPS. Names of spouses of some top officials also figured in the list of respondents. The judge observed that as per Bhoodan Act, the Bhoodan Board may allot such lands to landless persons willing and able to cultivate the land. The same can be allowed to the government or local bodies for community purposes or housing for poor and weaker sections. Those who get the land allotted can acquire rights that are prescribed under rule 9 of Bhoodan Rules. These land allotments are heritable but cannot be alienated, the judge said in the interim direction. The petitioner alleged that the respondents, by abusing their official positions and in collusion with Revenue officials, have managed to get their names mutated in the revenue records and have obtained pattadar passbooks. The petitioner sought protection under the Whistle Blowers Protection Act-2014. The matter was posted to June 12 for next hearing.
