CM's son-in-law got Kokapet Land as a gift: Former Minister Harish Rao

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Former Minister and BRS Deputy Floor Leader Harish Rao has levelled serious allegations against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, accusing him of illegally allocating 17 acres of prime government land in Kokapet's Survey Numbers 239 and 240 to his son-in-law, nephews, and their associates through Bhagyalakshmi Mines and Minerals.

Rao claims that while only 10 acres were officially granted, the group encroached on an additional 7 acres, revealed through information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. He criticised the nomination method used for the allocation, arguing that an open auction could have fetched hundreds of crores for the state treasury, instead of allowing public funds to be looted via backdoor deals.

Rao further alleged violations of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) norms, which prohibit crushers within one kilometre of the Outer Ring Road (ORR). Despite this, Revanth purportedly permitted five ready-mix plants and crushers on the site to benefit his son-in-law's business. He accused the administration of coercing nearby builders to purchase materials from these units or face denial of permissions, turning it into a coercive enterprise.

Highlighting hypocrisy, Rao questioned why land is generously given for family business while revoking two acres from the Visakha Sharada Peetham for Hindu dharma propagation, potentially hurting devotees' sentiments. He suggested the adjacent 17 acres could host the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) project instead.

Reacting to the government's fresh reversal, cancelling the HMWSSB allocation and restoring the Peetham's land, Rao welcomed it as a "dharma victory" blessed by Goddess Rajashyamala, crediting it to devotees' efforts and divine intervention. However, he demanded immediate cancellation of the illegal crusher units on the 17 acres, which he said flout environmental rules and public interests without clear benefits. Rao vowed that BRS would continue fighting against such anti-people actions by the Revanth government.