HC notices top YSR, Dharmaana

Hyderabad, Aug 17 :

 The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday served show cause notices on the Chief Minister, Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, and the Revenue Minister, Mr Dharmaana Prasada Rao, on the surplus land holdings of the Chief Minister in his Idupulapaya Estates in Kadapa district.

Dealing with a petition filed by former Revenue minister and senior Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader, Mr P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, that the Chief Minister, Dr Rajasekhara Reddy, owns 450 acres of surplus land which comprise a larger portion of assigned lands in Idupulapaya Estates owned by Dr Reddy in Kadapa district, the High Court on Monday served notices on the Chief Minister and the Revenue Minister. The court posted the case to September 9 for further hearing.

Mr Ashok Gajapathi Raju in his public interest litigation petition alleged that the Chief Minister has in his possession over 450 acres of surplus land that includes a larger portion of assigned land and is illegally enjoying the proceeds for the past several years. He said that the Chief Minister had violated seven legislations in respect of the Idupulapaya Estates.

The court served notices on the Revenue Minister, Mr Dharmaana Prasada Rao stating that he had neglected the issue of taking away the assigned land from the possession of Dr Reddy despite having knowledge about the assigned lands. 

It may be recalled that the Chief Minister has surrendered a huge tract of land from his Idupulapaya Estates a couple of years ago after allegations were levelled against him that he was having thousands of acres of assigned land in his possession.