Rs 7,000 Cr Nadergul Land Row

Harish Rao Seeks HYDRAA Action

metro india news  I hyderabad

A major political controversy has erupted over alleged large-scale encroachment of government land in Nadergul, with former minister T. Harish Rao accusing senior leaders of the ruling Indian National Congress of grabbing 373 acres worth around Rs 7000 crore. Addressing a media conference at Telangana Bhavan, he alleged that ever since the Congress came to power, lands belonging to Dalits and weaker sections are being taken over under the guise of industrial development and organized encroachments.

Harish Rao said the controversy centers around Survey No. 613 (new Survey No. 119), claiming that key ministers and top leaders are directly linked to the alleged scam. He stated that during the tenure of K. Chandrashekar Rao, the land was safeguarded, but soon after the Congress government assumed office, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy allegedly focused on these lands.

Tracing the background, he recalled that during the united Andhra Pradesh era, N. Chandrababu Naidu had written to declare the land as government property. Subsequently, in 2007, then Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy announced in the Assembly that the land belonged to the government and handed it over to APIIC. He added that the Supreme Court in 2017 also upheld that the land belongs to the government.

According to him, around 600 poor farmers have been cultivating these lands for generations but are now being denied access. He alleged that bouncers and rowdies have been deployed to block entry, while police are filing false cases against farmers. He highlighted that women farmers like Kousalya and Mamatha, who have depended on the land for over 40 years, are being pressured to leave with offers ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, while borewells and fencing are being destroyed.

He further stated that an individual named Shivraj Bahadur claimed ownership citing Nizam-era records, but as early as 2005, the RDO had declared the land as government property. Despite this, in 2016, the land was allegedly sold to companies such as Alpha, Omega, and Unitech. He argued that under land ceiling laws, particularly Sections 8 and 17, such transactions are invalid without proper declaration and fall under prohibited categories like Section 22A, as confirmed by the Kandukur RDO.

Harish Rao said that both the single bench and division bench of the High Court upheld the RDO’s decision, declaring the transactions invalid and directing that criminal action be taken against those responsible. He noted that the matter has been taken to the Supreme Court, where it is scheduled for hearing on April 7, 2026, before a bench of Justices Pankaj Mittal and Prasanna, and that no stay has been granted so far, making the High Court ruling effective.

He criticized officials for inaction, stating that despite complaints submitted on March 9 and 10 to the Kandukur RDO, MRO, Rangareddy Collector, and even HYDRAA, no action has been taken. He questioned why HYDRA, which demolishes structures of the poor under GO 99 on weekends, is not acting in a case involving a Rs 7000 crore land scam, asking whether there are different rules for the poor and the powerful.

Raising environmental concerns, he said that out of the 373 acres, 17 acres fall under the full tank level of Lachamma Kunta and 6 acres under the buffer zone. He alleged that feeder channels have been destroyed, warning that this would affect the water flow to connected lakes including Naan Cheruvu, Marrivani Kunta, Reddy Kunta, Sunnam Cheruvu, and Injapur Masam Cheruvu, potentially causing ecological damage.

He also alleged large-scale illegal mining, stating that out of 80 to 100 acres of hillocks, all except 12 acres of Lingamayya Gutta have been removed, and questioned how such activity is taking place in the heart of Hyderabad without official intervention.

Targeting the state revenue minister, Harish Rao accused Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and his family of being behind the encroachments. He claimed that companies such as Kohinoor Group, Shilpa Infra, and others have been repeatedly changing boards at the site. Citing company records, he alleged that the minister’s family members, including his son Harsha Reddy and others, are directors in firms linked to these developments. He also referred to Crystal Mansions India Private Limited associated with M/s AQ Square Realtors, stating that the minister’s son is a director, which he said establishes a direct connection. He demanded Hydraa to take action.

TIMELINE

United Andhra Pradesh Era 

TDP Tenure: Former CM N. Chandrababu Naidu writes to official authorities to declare the 373-acre parcel as government property.

2005: The Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) officially declares the land as Government Property, rejecting private ownership claims.

2007: Then-CM Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy announces in the State Assembly that the land belongs to the government and hands it over to the APIIC (now TSIIC) for industrial development.

2016: Allegations surface that despite being government land, it was sold to private entities including Alpha, Omega, and Unitech.

2017: The Supreme Court upholds previous rulings, confirming that the land is government property.

Late 2023: Congress assumes power in Telangana. 

T. Harish Rao alleges that focus immediately shifted toward these high-value lands.

March 3, 2026: Harish Rao begins a series of attacks on Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, initially alleging illegal quarrying at Manasa Hills by Raghava Constructions (linked to the Minister's family).

March 9–10, 2026: Formal complaints are submitted regarding the Nadergul encroachments to the Kandukur RDO, MRO, Rangareddy Collector, and HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency).

March 30, 2026: Raghava Constructions issues a statement refuting all allegations of land grabbing and seigniorage evasion. BRS leaders meet the Governor to present documentary evidence of irregularities and demand the dismissal of Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy.

April 4, 2026: T. Harish Rao holds a high-profile media conference at Telangana Bhavan, detailing the Rs 7,000 crore scam. He names the Minister's son, Harsha Reddy, as a director in linked firms (Kohinoor Group, Crystal Mansions).

Current Status: Farmers allege that bouncers and rowdies have occupied the land, destroying borewells and fencing. Ecological concerns are raised regarding the destruction of feeder channels for Lachamma Kunta and surrounding lakes.

Monday Morning (April 6, 2026): Deadline set by Harish Rao for HYDRAA Commissioner Ranganath to act. If no action is taken, BRS MLAs plan to march to the site.

April 7, 2026: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter (Bench of Justices Pankaj Mittal and Prasanna). As of now, the High Court's ruling against the private developers remains effective.