The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a plea with the Telangana High Court, seeking permission to widen its investigation into a large-scale land scam involving senior IAS and IPS officers. The scam pertains to the alleged illegal acquisition of government land in Survey No. 194, located in Nagaram village, Maheshwaram Mandal, Ranga Reddy district.
Background: De-notification of Bhoodan Land Using Forged Documents
According to the ED, the land in question was originally donated to the Andhra Pradesh Bhoodan Yagna Board by Late Nawab Haji Khan, but was later de-notified illegally using a forged affidavit and a fabricated letter falsely attributed to the Board.
Despite official revenue records naming Khan’s sons as rightful legal heirs, Ms. Khadeerunnisa submitted a fraudulent affidavit via the Dharani portal, claiming sole heirship. This led to the issuance of passbooks and the subsequent sale of 40 acres of protected land to EIPL Constructions in 2022 through 11 registered sale deeds.
ED Highlights Administrative Complicity
The ED alleges that former Tahsildar of Maheshwaram, Ms. R.P. Jyothi, who also served as Joint Sub-Registrar, colluded with private individuals—Khadeerunnisa, her son Munawar Khan, and Bobbili Damodhar Reddy—to execute the fraudulent sale. The agency further claims that top officials, including the then Chief Commissioner of Land Administration, the Collector of Ranga Reddy, the RDO, and other revenue officers, knowingly permitted this de-notification, despite the land’s Bhoodan protection status.
Need for HC Permission and FIR
ED Assistant Director Gajraj Singh Thakur told the court that despite uncovering substantial evidence suggesting deep-rooted corruption, the agency cannot formally proceed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) without a registered First Information Report (FIR).
He noted that the ED had written to the Telangana DGP in November 2024 under Section 66(2) of the PMLA, requesting action and FIR registration, but has not received a response. Notably, Survey No. 194 is not included in any of the existing FIRs related to the alienation of Survey Nos. 181 and 182.
New Leads: Senior Officials Allegedly Acquired Land
During its investigation into Surveys 181 and 182, the ED reportedly discovered that senior public servants had acquired land in Survey No. 194 either in their own names or in the names of relatives. Late Nawab Haji Khan reportedly owned 779 acres across Survey Nos. 181, 182, 194, and 195, of which 565 acres were sold to tenants in the 1950s. The rest was gifted or donated by 1992.
However, one Mr. Abdul Shukoor later laid claim to part of Survey No. 194, citing documents allegedly executed by Khan in 1992 in favor of minors. These claims triggered the registration of two FIRs, and the ED is now seeking court approval to bring these into the scope of its PMLA probe.
Statements Recorded, Awaiting Court’s Decision
Mr. Thakur also confirmed that multiple statements from officials involved in the land’s succession, mutation, and sale have been recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA. Further action hinges on the court’s decision and departmental responses.
The High Court is currently reviewing the matter, and a ruling is expected soon on whether the ED will be allowed to expand its investigation to examine alleged money laundering and abuse of official position by senior government officials.
