Transferring Bhoodan lands: Telangana HC issues notices on plea seeking FIR against IAS officer Naveen Mittal

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has issued notices to the authorities on a criminal revision petition seeking directions to the Maheshwaram Police to register a case against senior IAS officer Naveen Mittal, the then Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department, for allegedly transferring government-owned Bhoodan lands to private individuals.

The single bench of Justice K Sujana heard the case. The petition, filed by Dastagir Shareef of Mehdipatnam, accuses the former Revenue Secretary, the Telangana Bhoodan Yagna Board, and the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA) of facilitating the transfer of valuable public land in violation of existing prohibitions.

Allegation of land transfer to Private Hands

The petitioner alleged that government lands, measuring 50 acres, are located in Survey Nos. 181, 182, 194, and 195 of Nagaram village, Maheshwaram Mandal (Ranga Reddy district) were illegally transferred to private persons during Naveen Mittal’s tenure.

He contended that the lands, classified as Bhoodan lands, fall under the prohibited properties list (Section 22A) of the Stamps and Registration Department and hence could not have been alienated or registered in private names.

The Bhoodan Yagna Board itself had earlier informed the Court that lands in Survey No. 181, covering about 50 acres, were part of this prohibited category. Despite that, the transfer took place, the petitioner maintained.

Complaint to Police and Lower Court Rejection

Dastagir Shareef said he initially lodged a complaint with the Maheshwaram Police Station against the then Revenue Secretary and the Tahsildar of Maheshwaram Mandal, seeking registration of an FIR. However, the police refused to take action.

He subsequently filed a private complaint before the Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Maheshwaram (Ranga Reddy District), urging the Court to direct the Station House Officer to register a case and investigate the matter.

The lower court dismissed the petition. Aggrieved by that order, the petitioner approached the High Court through a Criminal Revision Case, requesting to set aside the magistrate’s order and direct the Maheshwaram Police to file an FIR.

Prime land later purchased by Builder

According to the petitioner, after the alleged transfer, parts of the land were sold to Kondapally Sridhar Reddy, owner of EIPL Constructions and other real estate companies.

The petitioner claimed that the transactions were not only illegal but also led to private enrichment at the cost of public property meant for community welfare under the Bhoodan movement.

High Court hearing

Justice K. Sujana took up the matter for hearing and issued notices to the concerned authorities. The case pertains to the alleged misuse of authority in the transfer of Bhoodan lands, properties originally donated for social welfare purposes but later diverted for commercial use.