Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has criticised the Telangana government’s GO 134, which orders an inquiry into 16 land parcels, alleging that the exercise is politically motivated and selectively targets individuals associated with the opposition party.
Speaking to mediapersons on Tuesday, BRS general secretary RS Praveen Kumar questioned the selection of properties for scrutiny and the composition of the committee appointed to examine the transactions. He called for an impartial investigation conducted in accordance with the law.
BRS questions committee composition
Praveen Kumar alleged that the committee included officials whose impartiality he questioned, including IAS officer Sanjay Jha. He described the government order as unconstitutional and said he had written to Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju seeking appropriate action.
The BRS leader also objected to the inclusion of properties belonging to individuals who, he said, were not associated with the party. He specifically questioned the inclusion of land linked to nominated former MLA Elvis Stephenson in Secunderabad.
Praveen Kumar argued that some properties under scrutiny had been disclosed by BRS leaders in election affidavits or acquired before they entered politics. He demanded that the government explain the basis for including these properties in the inquiry.
Demand for independent investigation
The BRS leader said former minister T Harish Rao had called for an investigation by a sitting Supreme Court judge into the allegations concerning the properties.
He criticised the government’s decision to appoint an administrative committee instead, arguing that the arrangement raised questions about the inquiry’s independence. He also accused the Congress government of using the exercise to divert attention from governance issues.
These statements reflect the BRS’s position on the inquiry. The allegations of political bias and constitutional violations have not been independently established.
BRS raises allegations against Congress leaders
During the briefing, Praveen Kumar levelled separate allegations against Congress leaders over land transactions and real estate dealings.
He named MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy and MLA Malreddy Rangareddy in connection with an alleged land deal involving 2,600 acres in Ibrahimpatnam. He also alleged that false police cases were being registered in related disputes to pressure property owners.
Praveen Kumar further questioned alleged land transactions involving the family of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and the family of Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.
He raised questions about an alleged purchase by the Chief Minister’s daughter, Naimisha Reddy, involving land said to be worth Rs 80 crore that was reportedly acquired for Rs 10 crore. He also questioned properties allegedly held by members of Ponguleti’s family in different parts of Hyderabad.
These claims were made by the BRS leader and have not been independently verified. No findings establishing wrongdoing by the named individuals were provided in the account.
Praveen Kumar said his party would release further details about the alleged transactions in stages.
Seeks action in land-related cases
The BRS general secretary also called for the arrest and custodial interrogation of a former Abdullapurmet tahsildar, alleging that the official had accepted bribes in land-related matters.
He urged the state government and the Chief Secretary to ensure that official orders and legislation comply with constitutional requirements and that the investigation proceeds without political interference.
The controversy over GO 134 has intensified the political dispute between the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS over land transactions and the accountability of public officials. The scope of the inquiry, the government's response to the objections and the outcome of any investigation remain to be seen.
