AP Government Reclaims 12.51 Acres of Land in Major Anti-Fraud Action!

In a decisive move against land fraud, the Andhra Pradesh government has reclaimed 12.51 acres of land in Visakhapatnam from Hayagreeva Farms and Developers. This plot, previously designated for elderly care facilities, was involved in a scam where it was unlawfully sold to various buyers. The land had been initially earmarked in 2008 for the development of housing for senior citizens and orphans. Following the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) investigation, which uncovered the fraudulent sale of the land generating illicit proceeds exceeding ₹150 crore, the state government intervened. By issuing a Government Order (GO), they have now directed the District Collector of Visakhapatnam to take back the land and redirect its use for the public good.

The ED's scrutiny into Hayagreeva Farms and Developers began after a complaint was lodged at the Arilova Police Station in Visakhapatnam, pointing to allegations of forgery, document tampering, and coercion in acquiring government-allotted land. Notably, the investigation ensnared several individuals, including Gadde Brahmaji, Gannamani Venkateswara Rao, and former YSRCP MP MVV Satyanarayana, probing into their involvement in the land scam. Subsequent raids on MVV Satyanarayana's properties in 2023 threw light on the acquisition of the contested land by Hayagreeva Farms and Developers in 2010 for a sum of ₹5.63 crore, significantly below its then-market value of approximately ₹30.25 crore as estimated by the AP Registration & Stamps Department. Further digging revealed that the accused had, from 2021, parceled the land into smaller plots, selling them off through deceitful agreements and sale deeds, thereby amassing over ₹150 crore in illegal gains.

As part of its clampdown on the fraudulent activities of Hayagreeva Farms and Developers, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Visakhapatnam took a significant step in February by provisionally attaching assets tied to the company. This included 14 immovable properties valued at ₹42.03 crore and six movable properties worth ₹2.71 crore, all confiscated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. These properties were associated with various entities and individuals, such as MVV Builders, Hayagreeva Infratech Projects Limited, Gadde Brahmaji and his wife, Chilukuri Jagadeeswarudu, Chilukuri Radha Rani, Hayagreeva Projects, and Varanasi Dileep, cumulatively valued at ₹44.75 crore. This action underscores the determined efforts by the authorities to dismantle the network associated with the land scam, ensuring that justice prevails.

The Andhra Pradesh government's resolution to nullify the land allotment and prevent its misuse represents a commendable step towards safeguarding public lands from fraudulent transactions. This action not only demonstrates the government's commitment to upholding the law but also restores the land to its intended use for the community's benefit. By taking stringent measures against those involved in the scam, the government underscores the importance of maintaining integrity in land management and allocation, ensuring that such resources serve their rightful purpose in society