Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Telangana Government Alleges BRS Land Reclassification Scheme
The Telangana government says some lands meant to remain protected were changed into private or patta land.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy presented documents about the claims in the Legislative Assembly.
The lands included government, assigned, Bhoodan, inam, ceiling-surplus and defence properties.
Some cases involved people linked to the BRS party, according to the minister.
Officials allegedly removed restrictions from some land records through the Dharani portal.
Investigators and courts are examining several of the cases.
Some courts have ordered that the land situation should not change while cases continue.
One defence-land classification at Thumkunta was later changed back.
The named individuals’ responses were not reported in the articles.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy alleged that protected government lands were converted into private or patta land during the previous BRS government through the Dharani portal.
The cases involved assigned, Bhoodan, inam, ceiling-surplus and defence lands in Hyderabad and neighbouring districts.
The minister named BRS-linked figures, including Madhavaram Hanumantha Rao, Palla Rajeshwar Reddy and Gangula Kamalakar, as alleged beneficiaries or participants.
Several transactions are under investigation or court review, including cases involving Chippalthurthi, Pothireddypally and Adibatla.
A 66-acre defence-land classification change at Thumkunta was reversed in 2024 after a Defence Estates Officer’s complaint, restoring the land to the 22-A prohibited list.
- Who
- Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy presented the allegations, naming BRS-linked individuals, companies and officials connected to the disputed transactions.
- What
- The state government alleged that protected public lands were removed from the Section 22-A prohibited list or otherwise converted into private or patta land through the Dharani portal.
- When
- The cited transactions span 2010-11 through 2023; the Thumkunta defence-land classification was restored in September 2024 after a complaint.
- Where
- The cases concern Hyderabad and districts and locations including Siddipet, Medak, Ranga Reddy, Sangareddy, Velikatta, Chippalthurthi, Vattinagulapally, Pothireddypally, Adibatla and Thumkunta.
- Why
- According to the minister, land restrictions were removed or land was reclassified despite legal protections, court proceedings or earlier resumption orders, benefiting influential individuals and companies.
State Government’s Allegations
Legal Status and Reported Responses
Land reclassification
State Government’s Allegations
The government says protected lands were improperly removed from the 22-A list or converted into patta land during the previous BRS administration.
Legal Status and Reported Responses
The articles report that several transactions remain under investigation, before courts or subject to status quo orders, so the allegations have not all been finally adjudicated.
Role of BRS-linked figures
State Government’s Allegations
The minister alleged that Madhavaram Hanumantha Rao, Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, Gangula Kamalakar and other BRS-linked people benefited from or were involved in disputed transfers.
Legal Status and Reported Responses
The articles do not report responses or denials from the named individuals and do not establish final legal findings against them.
Government action
State Government’s Allegations
The state cited investigations, cancellations, resumption proceedings and the restoration of Thumkunta land as evidence that irregularities were being addressed.
Legal Status and Reported Responses
Some matters remain before the High Court, RDO or other authorities, while the legal status of disputed parcels is still being reviewed.
- Government allegation
- Protected government, assigned, Bhoodan, inam, ceiling-surplus and defence lands were allegedly converted into private or patta land during the previous BRS government.
- Reported mechanism
- Some parcels were allegedly removed from the Section 22-A prohibited list or reclassified through the Dharani portal.
- Velikatta case
- A remaining 4 acres and 32 guntas linked to a 6-acre-and-18-gunta purchase was removed from the 22-A list on August 1, 2023; 1 acre and 26 guntas had earlier been acquired for ₹11.92 lakh.
- Chippalthurthi case
- The Anti-Corruption Bureau is investigating alleged irregularities involving 112 acres and 21 guntas removed from the prohibited list in 2020; the then additional collector and RDO were arrested, according to the article.
- Court proceedings
- Status quo orders continue in cases involving Vattinagulapally, Pothireddypally and Adibatla, while other matters are before the RDO or under CCLA proceedings.
- Pothireddypally case
- Of 77 acres of assigned government land, 31.23 acres were converted into patta land in July 2023 and later registered for TJR Infra & Developers and others.
- Thumkunta defence land
- A 66-acre-and-one-gunta parcel acquired for a fire range was restored to the 22-A prohibited list after a Defence Estates Officer’s complaint in September 2024.
