Maheshwaram Bhoodan land probe: ED intensifies investigation, summons key individuals

Hyderabad: Enforcement Directorate (ED), Hyderabad zone, which is investigating an alleged Bhoodan land case of Maheshwaram linked to IAS officer Amoy Kumar, then Ranga Reddy district collector, had reportedly summoned a list of few builders and politicians including B Subba Reddy of Vamsiram Builders and former Bharat Rashtra Samithi(BRS) MLA Marri Janardhan Reddy on Thursday.

According to sources from the Anti Money Laundering agency, the summoned developers, including Talasu Surya Teja of Ammoda Developers and K Sidda Reddy of KSR Mines, and individuals were alleged beneficiaries of these transactions.The ED’s summons require the individuals to appear for questioning starting Dec 16. The agency appears to be grilling the builders on the alleged fraudulent land transactions and whether they gained any illicit financial advantage.

It is pertinent to note that IAS officer Amoy Kumar’s role in the matter was also under scrutiny, and his statements were recorded multiple times.

ED started investigation based on Telangana police FIR

The investigation also focuses on 50 acres of Bhoodan land in Nagaram village, Maheshwaram mandal, Rangareddy district. The ED initiated action based on an FIR registered by the Telangana police. The central agency booked a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The complaint alleged that in Oct 2021, fraudulent sale deeds were registered, and land passbooks were issued for 42 acres and 33 guntas in Nagaram village despite the land being notified as government property. Land was reportedly sold illegally despite being listed as government land under the 22-A prohibitory category of the Indian Stamp Act.

The Telangana Bhoodan Yagna Board had previously issued eviction notices to land allottees for illegal transactions. The ED is examining whether fraudulent transactions were used to alienate government land for private gain. Further investigation is underway.