Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has issued notices to key government authorities in response to a criminal revision petition seeking directions to register a case against senior IAS officer Naveen Mittal, the former Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department. The petition alleges that Mittal facilitated the illegal transfer of government-owned Bhoodan lands to private individuals during his tenure.
Justice K. Sujana heard the matter and directed notices to be served on the Maheshwaram Police, the Telangana Bhoodan Yagna Board, and the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA), among others.
Land in Question and Allegations
The petition, filed by Dastagir Shareef, a resident of Mehdipatnam, centers on approximately 50 acres of land located in Survey Nos. 181, 182, 194, and 195 of Nagaram village, Maheshwaram Mandal, Ranga Reddy district.
According to the petitioner, these lands are classified as Bhoodan lands, which were originally donated under the Bhoodan Movement for social and community development. Such lands are prohibited from private sale or transfer under Section 22A of the Stamps and Registration Act, making their registration in private names legally invalid.
Despite this, the lands were allegedly transferred to private individuals during Naveen Mittal’s tenure as Revenue Secretary. Shareef stated that the Bhoodan Yagna Board had itself confirmed in a previous court submission that the lands in Survey No. 181 were part of the prohibited list.
Police Inaction and Legal Journey
After failing to receive a response from the Maheshwaram Police upon filing a complaint, Shareef moved the Additional Metropolitan Magistrate in Maheshwaram, seeking a direction to the police to register an FIR. The lower court, however, dismissed the petition.
Challenging that decision, Shareef filed a criminal revision petition in the High Court, seeking to set aside the magistrate’s order and compel the police to investigate the alleged illegal transfer.
Land Allegedly Sold to Real Estate Developer
The petitioner also claimed that portions of the land in question were later purchased by Kondapally Sridhar Reddy, a well-known builder and the owner of EIPL Constructions and other real estate ventures.
The petition contends that the transactions enabled private commercial gain at the cost of public property originally intended for community benefit, thereby violating the very essence of the Bhoodan movement.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
The High Court, in its initial hearing, found merit in examining the allegations and directed that notices be issued to the concerned parties. The matter is likely to be taken up again after responses are received from the authorities.
The case raises serious concerns over the alleged misuse of administrative authority, illegal land transactions, and the erosion of land reform principles under the Bhoodan movement, which sought to redistribute land for the benefit of the poor and landless.
