HYDERABAD: Officials of the Enforcement Directorate, Hyderabad zone, conducted raids at the residences of a few persons in connection with alleged irregularities in the sale of Bhoodan lands, specifically relating to properties in the Maheshwaram area of Rangareddy district.
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.