₹500 Cr Kokapet land row: Telangana HC grants last opportunity to BRS, gives 3 weeks

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has directed the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to file its counter affidavit within three weeks in connection with the allotment of 11 acres of land in Kokapet, Rangareddy district.

The court made it clear that this would be the final opportunity for the party to submit its response.

PIL challenges land allotment

The case pertains to the allotment of 11 acres in Survey Nos. 239 and 240 at Kokapet in Gandipet Mandal. The allotment was challenged through Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed in the High Court.

The first petition was filed in 2023 by M. Padmanabha Reddy, secretary of the Forum for Good Governance, and another petition was filed in 2024 by A. Venkatarami Reddy, questioning the legality of the land allotment.

Petitioners allege huge loss to exchequer

During the hearing, the petitioners contended that the previous government allotted the land to BRS at a nominal price. They argued that land worth nearly ₹500 crore was allotted for just ₹37 crore, causing a substantial loss to the State exchequer.

Government says counter already filed

Appearing for the State government, Additional Advocate General Mohammed Imran Khan informed the court that the government had already filed its counter-affidavit in the matter.

BRS alleges political motives

Counsel for BRS, T.V. Ramana Rao, argued that the petitions were filed with political motives. He pointed out that land had earlier been allotted to the Congress party as well, but those allotments were not challenged, while only the BRS allotment was being questioned.

Court’s observation

Responding to the argument, the bench remarked that “two wrongs do not make a right” and directed BRS to file its counter affidavit explaining its stand.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin, then adjourned the hearing, granting three weeks as the final deadline for BRS to submit its counter.