HYDERABAD: A bench of the Telangana High Court, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara, on Wednesday declined to interfere with the interim orders passed by a single judge in connection with a high-profile land case involving government and Bhoodan lands in Nagaram village, Maheshwaram mandal of Rangareddy district.
The case stems from allegations of large-scale forgery, land record manipulation and illegal transactions involving over 26 acres of land spread across Survey Nos 181, 182, 194 and 195.
A group of senior IPS officers — Ravi Gupta, Tarun Joshi, Renu Goyal, BK Rahul Hegde, Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat, Sowmya Mishra, Swathi Lakra and Rekha Sharraf — had filed three writ appeals challenging the single judge’s April 24 order. The order had imposed a stay on all land transactions linked to the disputed survey numbers, pending investigation into alleged scam.
The original writ petition was filed by Birla Mahesh, a private individual, who alleged that several senior bureaucrats colluded with revenue and registration officials to manipulate land records and carry out fraudulent transactions. The petition accused the officials of committing forgery, document tampering, and conspiracy in transferring government and Bhoodan lands.
In their appeal, the IPS officers argued that the single judge’s order was passed ex parte, without giving affected landowners an opportunity to be heard, thereby violating principles of natural justice. They further contended that the interim relief granted by the court exceeded the scope of the petition, which had merely sought consideration of representations and submission of investigation progress reports.
However, the bench refused to set aside or stay the single judge’s interim order and instead granted the appellants liberty to approach the single judge with petitions for vacating the stay for further relief.
Bhoodan case: ED may summon politicians, bureaucrats over suspect deals
HYDERABAD: Following Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on Khader Unissa, Mohd Munawar Khan, Mohd Lateef Sharfan, Mohd Akhtar Sharfan and Mohd Sukoor in connection with Bhoodan land irregularities, agency sources said notices may soon be issued to politicians, IAS and IPS officers, and their family members who purchased land from the accused.
Sources said about 26 acres was acquired by over 20 politicians, bureaucrats and their kin. The ED intends to question them on whether they were aware of the Bhoodan land status and how they came to trust the accused, who are under scrutiny for allegedly tampering with land records and falsely claiming ownership.
The agency is also investigating potential links between the accused and public officials, including any undue favours granted in altering records. Notably, a former Rangareddy collector is among revenue officials facing allegations.
The ED is expected to proceed with issuing notices after receiving approval from higher authorities. Meanwhile, some of those named have reportedly approached the high court regarding the land transactions.