The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Telangana High Court seeking permission to investigate a high-profile land scam involving senior IAS and IPS officers allegedly acquiring government land in Survey No. 194 of Nagaram village, Maheshwaram mandal in Ranga Reddy district.
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ED Assistant Director Mr. Gajraj Singh Thakur informed the court that although the agency has found compelling leads indicating a deep-rooted conspiracy, it cannot proceed with a formal investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) without a registered FIR. He noted that the ED had already written to the Director General of Police, Telangana, in November 2024 under Section 66(2) of the PMLA, urging appropriate action and FIR registration. However, there has been no response so far, and Survey No. 194 has not been included in any existing FIRs, including those filed over the alienation of Bhoodan land in Survey Nos. 181 and 182.
The ED has alleged that former Maheshwaram tahsildar Ms. R.P. Jyothi, who also held the post of joint sub-registrar, colluded with private individuals, including Ms. Khadeerunnisa, her son Munawar Khan, and Mr. Bobbili Damodhar Reddy, to sell protected government land using forged documents. This land, originally donated to the Andhra Pradesh Bhoodan Yagna Board by Late Nawab Haji Khan, was allegedly de-notified illegally using a fake affidavit and a fabricated letter purportedly issued by the Board.
Despite clear evidence in the revenue records listing Khan’s sons as rightful heirs, a false affidavit by Ms. Khadeerunnisa was uploaded on the Dharani portal claiming she was the sole legal heir. Based on this, passbooks were issued and 40 acres were sold to EIPL Constructions in 2022 through 11 registered sale deeds. The ED submitted that senior officials, including the then Chief Commissioner of Land Administration, Ranga Reddy district collector, RDO, and the tahsildar, permitted this illegal de-notification despite knowing the land’s protected Bhoodan status.
While probing Survey Nos. 181 and 182, the agency uncovered additional evidence of irregularities in Survey No. 194, where senior government officers allegedly procured land in their own names or in the names of their relatives. According to the ED, Late Nawab Haji Khan owned approximately 779 acres across Survey Nos. 181, 182, 194, and 195, of which about 565 acres were sold to tenants in the 1950s. The remaining land was either gifted or donated by 1992.
However, one Mr. Abdul Shukoor claimed a portion of Survey No. 194 using documents supposedly executed by Khan in 1992 in favor of minors. This dubious claim led to the registration of two FIRs, and the ED is now seeking the court’s clearance to include these transactions in its ongoing investigation under PMLA.
Mr. Thakur also confirmed that statements from multiple officials involved in the succession, mutation, and sale of land have been recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA. Further action will depend on responses from concerned departments.
The matter is currently under the High Court’s consideration, and a decision is awaited on whether the ED will be allowed to expand its investigation into possible money laundering and misuse of official position by senior public servants.
