Hyderabad: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive raids in Hyderabad’s Old City on Monday in connection with the Bhoodan land issue. Teams of ED officials carried out searches at multiple locations in the early hours, focusing on prominent businessmen and officials linked to alleged land irregularities.
ED Raids were conducted at the residences of well-known businessman Sharfan, along with Munawwar Khan and Khadirunnisa, as part of the investigation into alleged illegal occupation of about 100 acres of land in Maheshwaram. ED officials also inspected their offices as part of the operation.
Sharfan is a prominent businessman in Hyderabad, owning several large showrooms across the city.
This investigation is linked to earlier proceedings involving former IAS officer Amoy Kumar. Allegations had surfaced during Kumar’s tenure as the Ranga Reddy district collector, suggesting encroachments in Survey Number 17 at Piglipur revenue jurisdiction in Abdullapurmet mandal. Specifically, claims were made about illegal occupation of portions of the 386 acres of government land in that survey area.
Additionally, private land measuring 26 acres in the same survey number was reportedly included in a venture developed by Merugu Gopal Yadav, who also allegedly incorporated ceiling land into the project. Several farmers had approached then-collector Amoy Kumar, complaining that Yadav had established the venture on their lands. They asserted that they had been cultivating these lands for generations and held valid title deeds in their names. However, it was alleged that Kumar did not take any action despite being made aware of the matter.
Following widespread media coverage of these allegations, the ED intervened to investigate the irregularities thoroughly.
The raids underway in Hyderabad’s Old City are part of the broader investigation into the Maheshwaram land issue, and more details regarding the operation are awaited.
