Published Jul 20, 2026 | 5:31 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 20, 2026 | 5:50 PM
Image used for representational purpose.
Synopsis: BRS leader Kartik Indra Reddy slams non-bailable cases against farmers protesting land acquisition at Laxmi Thanda. Police register two FIRs, book 43 people, including local BRS and BJP leaders and locals for allegedly preventing Revenue officials from fencing the land.
BRS leader Kartik Indra Reddy has slammed the Shamshabad police for filing cases against political leaders and farmers protesting the fencing of 650 acres of land earmarked for different government projects, including a bullet train hub at Laxmi Thanda in Rangareddy district’s Bahadurguda village.
Two FIRs have been filed against as many as 43 people, including leaders of the BRS and BJP, with police invoking non-bailable offences against farmers.
The first case was registered on the morning of 18 July at the Shamshabad police station under Section 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The FIR named 36 people as accused, including Kartik Indra Reddy, several local BRS and BJP office-bearers and residents of Bahadurguda.
BJP Ranga Reddy district president Panthangi Bhupal Goud, BRS Shamshabad mandal president Kolan Pradeep Reddy, and BJP in-charge Sevella Mahender are among the other leaders booked by the police.
The FIR alleged that the accused obstructed Revenue and HYDRAA officials who had arrived at the site around 10.30 AM on 18 July to fence Survey Nos. 28 and 62. The officials had arrived under police protection.
A second case was filed later, under more serious and non-bailable sections including 132, 308(2), and 121(1), read with 3(5), of the BNS, which deals with assault on a public servant, attempt to commit culpable homicide, and voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant.
Seven people were named in the FIR including Jatavath Ravinder, Jatavath Kamli, Jatavath Mani, Pamena Gayathri, Mudavath Neelamma, Elugani Jyothi Devender and others.
The second FIR followed allegations by Sub-Inspector P Vanaja that the protesters pelted police personnel with stones and chairs, threw chilli powder at them, and snatched a government-issued wireless set from her possession.
The police have since prevented political leaders and civil society organisations from entering the village.
Slamming the police action, Kartik accused the state government of using force to browbeat farmers and illegally grab their land.
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Bahadurguda, situated in close proximity to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad, has remained tense for over a week amid protests sparked by the government’s plan to acquire 650 acres of land, earmarked for a bullet train hub, a bus terminal, and a metro rail terminal.
Reports suggest that officials have earmarked 96 acres for a rehabilitation layout, under which farmers who give up their land would get 600 square yards per acre, with four more acres set aside for other government use.
The row intensified when HYDRAA and Revenue officials arrived at the site along with a large number of police personnel to fence the land. Farmers, who had been holding a sit-in for roughly ten days, tried to stop them, resulting in the police action.
The land has been under cultivation by local families for years, many of whom have long sought ownership titles for it. It has also been the subject of a long-running litigation in the Telangana High Court.
Earlier in April, the High Court passed a status quo order when a writ petition was filed by residents of Bahadurguda Gram Panchayat regarding numerous survey sub-divisions, including parts of Survey Nos. 28 and 62.
Citing a similar order from 5 December 2025, the petitioners’ counsel sought a status quo direction. The court ordered that the status quo be maintained, but added that this would not stop the government authorities from taking action against the petitioners by following due process of law.
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Speaking to South First, Kartik Indra Reddy said, “The 650 acres belong to the farmers of Bahadurguda who have been taking care of it for over 40 years now. They are rightfully protesting the government’s move. I was there to support them.”
Citing the status quo order, Reddy accused the government of grabbing the people’s land without following due process.
“There is a status quo order in place. In order to acquire the land, what procedure did the government follow? Where is the Detailed Project Report (DPR)? What clearances did they obtain?” asked Reddy.
Responding to the ruling Congress MLA Prakash Goud’s allegation that the BRS regime had not taken any action on the issue during their tenure, Kartik Reddy told South First:
“He is a four-time MLA from the constituency. He was also part of the BRS party during the time he is referring to. What did he contribute towards helping the farmers? He only uses it as an election issue. He promised them multiple times that he would get them pattas for the land. What happened to those claims?”
Goud had alleged that when the BRS government was approached with a request to grant ownership titles to Bahadurguda farmers, they denied, citing the records that the land belonged to the State.
Asserting that the FIR against him and other politicians doesn’t deter him, Reddy called non-bailable cases against protesting farmers deplorable.
“If there is a procedure in place, a decent government should follow it. What kind of a government descends upon a village one day, takes the people’s lands forcefully, and then files cases against those who protest? ”
Reddy stressed that the BRS would continue to support the farmers’ fight.
“BRS will not back down just because they filed some illegal FIR on me. We will continue to fight till the end. We will ensure that justice is served. 600 square yards of land as compensation for acquiring 1 acre is not justice,” he added.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
