Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
Hyderabad, May 31: Cyberabad Police have arrested two additional accused in connection with a large-scale land fraud case involving the alleged creation of forged government orders and fabricated official records to illegally encroach upon valuable government land in Telangana.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Veladi Radhakrishna and his driver Gyara Praveen Kumar, named as Accused Nos. 9 and 10 in the case, police said on Sunday.
Authorities had earlier, on May 29, announced the busting of a Rs 1,000-crore land scam following the arrest of three persons linked to the case.
The investigation pertains to the alleged illegal sale of around 10 acres of government land in Gandipet, valued at approximately ?1,500 crore, through the use of fake Government Orders (G.O.s), forged certificates, and manipulated official records.
A case was registered on May 23 at Narsingi Police Station based on a complaint filed by Srinivas Reddy, Tahsildar of Gandipet Mandal in Rangareddy district, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police said the prime accused, Radhakrishna, previously worked as an outsourced employee in the Information Technology & Communication Department in the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat between 2006 and 2009. He allegedly later used his knowledge of government procedures to deceive people by promising jobs, land regularisation, pattadar passbooks, and other official approvals in exchange for money.
Investigators said he has a history of similar cheating cases registered across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and was already facing multiple allegations of fraud and forgery.
According to police, Radhakrishna allegedly developed contacts with individuals claiming rights over government poramboke land in Survey No. 18 of Gandipet village and devised a plan to monetise the land through illegal means, despite being aware that it was government property.
He is also accused of using intermediaries, including his driver, to establish connections with other individuals involved in the alleged conspiracy. Police said the accused forged documents including government orders, official letters, CCLA proceedings, and no-objection certificates with the help of associates and an advocate.
Investigators further stated that financial transactions worth approximately Rs 12 crore took place between key individuals linked to the alleged land deal.
Police have seized multiple items during the investigation, including laptops, cheque books, stamps, bank passbooks, ATM cards, and land-related documents.
Authorities said several accused remain absconding, including a former MLA, and efforts are underway to trace them and complete the investigation into the wider financial and criminal network behind the scam.