Published Mar 30, 2026 | 8:27 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 30, 2026 | 8:27 PM
Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy (screengrab)
Synopsis: A local landowner alleged that Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and his son Harsha Reddy were trying to take away his 27 acres worth ₹1,400 crore by force. The issue has now taken a political colour with the BRS stepping in and demanding the resignation of the minister, who is already under scanner over the activities of Raghava Constructions, a firm said to be linked to him.
Telangana’s Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy is once again in the centre of a controversy after a couple accused the minister and his son of trying to usurp 27 acres of their prime land at Vattinagulapally on Hyderabad’s outskirts.
The land, currently valued at approximately ₹1,400 crore due to rapid urban expansion in the area, has become the centre of a high-stakes dispute involving claims of coercion, illegal surveys, demolition, and threats to life.
Speaking to the media, Satish and his wife Pallavi Shah alleged that their family has been in uninterrupted possession of the land since 1969, with no disputes arising over ownership or usage for more than five decades. The family, Satish said, has lived on and cultivated the land continuously, establishing clear possession over the decades.
Satish said the dispute began when the minister’s son, Ponguleti Harsha Reddy, first approached the family, followed by a personal visit by Srinivasa Reddy.
“Initially, they asked for two to three acres of land in front of our property, claiming it was needed for access or development. But later, they demanded that we hand over the entire 27 acres,” Satish alleged. The family refused to part with any portion of the land, maintaining that it rightfully belonged to them.
Following their refusal, Satish claimed that efforts were made to forcibly take control of the land through administrative and coercive means. He alleged that the property was surveyed without the family’s knowledge or consent by a surveyor identified as Srinivas.
“We were never informed. It was done secretly, and later we were told that even the land we are currently occupying belongs to them,” he said.
The situation turned serious when a land panchanama was reportedly carried out without notifying the family. Satish stated that they later approached the High Court, which subsequently suspended all survey and panchanama activities related to the land, offering temporary relief to the family.
Despite the court’s intervention, Satish alleged that intimidation tactics continued. He claimed that meetings were held between Harsha Reddy and senior officials regarding the land. Soon, the family witnessed what they described as a direct attempt to encroach upon their property.
“One night, JCBs and bulldozers were brought in without any notice. They tried to demolish our compound walls and structures to forcibly take over our land,” Satish said. He further alleged that individuals linked to a private firm, Raghava Construction, were involved in the demolition using unregistered earthmovers.
The family claimed that several structures, including a cowshed and compound wall, were damaged during the operation. Satish also alleged that their workers were attacked five times, and added that his family was now living under constant threat.
“We are being threatened with death if we do not vacate the land,” he said.
Raising concerns over law enforcement, Satish accused the police of inaction and alleged that they were acting under political pressure.
“Even though the court has clearly stated that we have the right to use our land, the police are stopping us. They are not responding to our complaints,” he said.
The allegations have triggered a political storm, with the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) taking up the issue. Senior BRS leader KT Rama Rao (KTR) accused the state government of aiding land encroachments by those in power.
Addressing the media, KTR accused the government of misusing its authority and manipulating land records to target private landowners.
“This is not an isolated incident. People across Telangana are being harassed and pressured under the guise of land record restrictions and surveys,” he said.
He further alleged that the involvement of a sitting minister raised serious concerns about abuse of power. KTR demanded the immediate dismissal of Minister Srinivasa Reddy and warned that the BRS would intensify its agitation if the demand was not met.
He further claimed that a police officer, Habibulla, who had initially registered an FIR in the case, was transferred, raising suspicions about interference in the investigation.
“We will not allow such blatant misuse of power. More irregularities will soon come to light,” he said, urging other victims of alleged land-related harassment to come forward.
He also assured that the BRS would extend legal and political support to affected families.
The controversy has once again brought the spotlight on land disputes in rapidly developing zones around Hyderabad, particularly areas like Vattinagulapally, where soaring real estate values have intensified conflicts over ownership and control.
Later, a delegation of BRS MLAs and MLCs led by KTR and T Harish Rao met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and submitted a representation seeking an inquiry into the alleged illegal mining and land-grabbing activities of Minister Srinivas Reddy.
The BRS delegation discussed the issue with the Governor at Lok Bhavan for nearly an hour, during which they reportedly presented documentary evidence related to large-scale irregularities, including illegal mining operations and unlawful land encroachments linked to the minister.
The delegation demanded the immediate dismissal of Minister Srinivas Reddy and called for an independent judicial inquiry, preferably under the supervision of a sitting High Court judge, to ensure transparency and justice.
BRS leaders alleged that a company linked to the minister, Raghava Constructions, has been carrying out illegal mining activities in violation of established norms, including operations in restricted zones such as catchment areas of twin reservoirs.
They further stated that these activities were being conducted without mandatory clearances such as mineral dealer licenses, pollution control approvals, electricity permissions, and industrial clearances, resulting in the loss of hundreds of crores worth of public resources.
The delegation also pointed out that when these issues were raised in the Assembly, the ruling Congress government chose to suspend and expel BRS MLAs and MLCs instead of addressing the allegations.
They noted that even the government had admitted in the Assembly that notices were issued to Raghava Constructions, thereby acknowledging irregularities.
KTR told media persons later that the Congress government, which came to power promising “Indiramma Rajyam,” has instead recreated conditions reminiscent of the Emergency era.
He reminded that even the Governor had endured imprisonment during the Emergency, and expressed concern that similar undemocratic conditions are now prevailing in Telangana.
KTR asserted that a legislative committee comprising MLAs and MLCs should be constituted to investigate the matter, or a fully independent judicial probe must be ordered. He expressed a lack of confidence in state agencies such as CB-CID, especially when the Chief Minister himself holds the Home portfolio.
He reiterated the demand to drop Srinivas Reddy from the Cabinet, saying his continuation might influence any probe.
The BRS leaders urged the Governor to intervene in the interest of justice and direct an impartial investigation, either through a sitting High Court judge or central agencies. Responding to the representation and evidence submitted, the Governor, according to KTR, assured that he would examine the matter positively.
KTR also criticised the silence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the issue, stating that it has failed to exert any pressure on the state government so far.
He challenged the Chief Minister to demonstrate integrity by ordering a probe not only into Ponguleti’s alleged scams but also into multiple other issues, including the Amrut scam, phone tapping case, Singareni irregularities, and Hyderabad industrial land policy violations.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
