Hyderabad: In a significant ruling with implications for top bureaucrats, the Telangana High Court has dismissed interim applications filed by several IAS and IPS officers who had sought to vacate a stay order on land transactions involving Bhoodan Yajna Board lands in Nagaram village, Maheshwaram mandal of Rangareddy district.
The interim applications were dismissed by Justice K. Lakshman, who upheld a previous order restraining the Revenue and Registration authorities from altering or alienating the ownership of lands in Survey Nos. 181, 182, 194, and 195. The original stay was granted in April 2025 after allegations surfaced about large-scale fraudulent transactions involving the disputed land parcels.
Bhoodan Land Dispute: Allegations of Illegal Transactions and Involvement of Bureaucrats
The controversy began when Birla Mallesh, a local petitioner, approached the High Court claiming that these lands were originally donated to the Bhoodan Yajna Board—a trust established to distribute land to the landless poor—and should not have been sold or registered to private individuals, including some senior IAS and IPS officers.
Mallesh alleged that the Stamps and Registration department and Revenue officials failed to act on multiple representations he made, urging them to halt and investigate these illegal transactions. He further contended that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) should be brought in to probe the suspected benami or money-laundering activities linked to these land purchases.
As a result, an interim order was passed by the High Court, directing the authorities to include the lands in the list of prohibited properties due to the seriousness of the allegations.
Officers Challenged Stay — But Court Stands Firm
Subsequently, some IAS and IPS officers moved the court, filing interim applications seeking to vacate the stay, arguing that the sale transactions were valid and legally executed. However, a Division Bench earlier declined to grant relief and advised the appellants to approach the single judge bench.
The matter was eventually heard by Justice K. Lakshman, who dismissed four interim applications on Friday, stating that the stay must continue considering the nature of the allegations.
Other Petitions Dismissed, Liberty Granted for Fresh Applications
In related developments, the High Court also dismissed two additional writ petitions:
- One filed by A. Ramulu, seeking constitution of a Commission of Enquiry against three Revenue officers and private individuals over alleged illegal land mutations in Survey Nos. 194 and 195.
- Another by Birla Mallesh, seeking official copies of land mutation records, which the court declined but gave him liberty to file an application with the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA) and other Revenue authorities.
Justice Lakshman noted that if officials fail to provide certified copies upon request, the petitioner is at liberty to file a fresh writ petition or seek other legal remedies.
Summary of Key Developments of Bhoodan Land Dispute
HC dismisses officers’ pleas to vacate stay on Nagaram Bhoodan lands.
- Petitioner alleges fraudulent sale of land meant for landless poor.
- ED probe demanded into the transactions involving top bureaucrats.
- Related petitions seeking enquiry and land records were also dismissed.
- Petitioners are allowed to seek documents through administrative channels.
