Published Jul 31, 2026 | 9:30 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 31, 2026 | 9:30 PM
Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy (screengrab)
Synopsis: The NHRC has directed the Union Ministry of Mines to act on a complaint alleging illegal mining near Hyderabad’s Manasa Hills by Raghava Constructions India Pvt. Ltd., a company associated with Telangana Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy’s family, and submit an action taken report within eight weeks. The complaint alleges that the company carried out mining without statutory clearances and accuses state government departments of failing to act despite the alleged violations.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Union Ministry of Mines to take appropriate action on a complaint alleging illegal mining near Hyderabad’s Manasa Hills by Raghava Constructions India Private Limited (RCIPL), a company associated with Telangana Revenue, Housing and Information & Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy’s family.
In its 30 July direction, the Commission instructed the Ministry to involve affected residents of Rajendranagar in the process and submit an action taken report within eight weeks.
The complaint, filed on 4 March 2026 on behalf of Rajendranagar residents, alleges that RCIPL has been carrying out round-the-clock excavation and transportation of stone and concrete material in the Manasa Hills area near the Outer Ring Road in Rajendranagar, Ranga Reddy district, without statutory clearances. The company is headed by the Minister’s brother, Prasad Reddy, and son, Harsha Reddy.
According to the complaint, the company did not possess consent from the Telangana State Pollution Control Board, environmental clearance, a mining or quarrying lease from the State Department of Mines and Geology, an explosives licence, or other mandatory approvals from local civic bodies and government departments.
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The complainant alleged that several government departments had failed to act despite visible violations and questioned whether rules were being applied unequally to politically connected operators.
The complaint sought directions to Shri Ujjwal Tah, Chief Inspector of Mines and Director General of Mines Safety, to halt the alleged illegal mining and initiate proceedings under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, as amended in 2015.
Allegations of illegal mining against Raghava Constructions were first raised earlier this year by senior Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders, including former Minister T Harish Rao, who demanded a House Committee inquiry.
The company had denied the allegations, stating that the mining activity had been wrongly attributed to it because a crusher leased by it to Sree Tirumala Metals was being used at the quarry.
In May 2026, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) conducted raids on multiple illegal mining sites and quarries across the city and seized machinery. Equipment belonging to Sree Tirumala Metals was among those seized.
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Apart from the mining allegations, Raghava Constructions has also faced allegations relating to land encroachment and corruption.
The company’s stake in Raghava Sewerage Project Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture established to construct 22 sewage treatment plants within the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road limits, was increased to 51 percent after receiving State government approval. The decision drew allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
In 2025, residents of Raviryal village in Rangareddy district filed a writ petition in the Telangana High Court alleging that the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC), through Raghava Constructions, had undertaken illegal development on their land. The High Court passed an interim order restraining the move to dispossess the landowners and described the action as “high-handed, mala fide, illegal, and arbitrary.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
