Hyderabad: Ex-MP asked cops for warrant

Hyderabad: Former AP Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal allegedly tried to stop the police from searching the residence of his friend G.P. Reddy on Thursday.

Reddy has been on the run for some time. But Mr Rajagopal barged into the house claiming to be a friend of Reddy and blocked the police. He demanded a search warrant, which the police said they did not need as they were directed by a court to take Reddy for custodial interrogation.

Reddy was required for interrogation in the multi-crore fraud unearthed in the Banjara Hill Women’s Society, where two different parties forged documents and fraudulently sold land. The prime property measuring 3 acres 13 guntas is located in Survey No: 129/ 30, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills.

According to records, it originally belonged to one Abdullah Pasha who gifted the property to Shaik Abdullah, who then sold it to Amoodi through a registered sale deed in 1964.

Amoodi sold the property to four persons, namely V.V. Rao, Bhujanga Rao, Kishori Bhujanga Rao, and E. Shankaramma, who bought 4,000 square yards each. Bhujanga Rao and V.V. Rao sold their land to the Women’s Cooperative Society. The land is currently registered in the names of 10 original members of the society.

But the land history runs deep, with two litigants eyeing the prime property. Ms P Kalapanna, an original society member, who filed a complaint, said, “In 1991, one Ramchandra Reddy (a watchman) claiming title through registered document No 252/1357 F, tried to encroach on the land together with K. Amrender Reddy. The society and other landowners filed a suit, which was upheld by the court citing that document No 252/1357 was forged and fabricated and the duo (Ramchandra Reddy and Amrender Reddy) had no title.”

A case (crime No. 1020) under Sections 420, 458, 471 of IPC was filed with the Sanathnagar police by the society members. The second litigant was G.P. Reddy. “During the investigation of the complaint, it was found that another party led by one Swamy who created fake documents of the land, admitted having done it on the behest of G.P. Reddy,” a source said.

According to the West zone police, G.P. Reddy filed a petition for quashing of the FIR before the High Court, which was dismissed as the allegation was a serious one. The court directed the police to continue the investigation. The accused then filed for anticipatory bail in the lower court, but the judge while dismissing the anticipatory bail application, observed that his “custodial interrogation is required and document to be seized.” Following this court order, the police has been chasing the absconding Reddy.

West Zone DCP A.R. Srinivas told this newspaper: “At around 8.30 pm on Thursday, the accused 11 in the Women’s Cooperative Society case, G.P. Reddy, was found at his residence. The police wanted an explanation from him. He then called his friends, including Lagadapati Rajagopal, who questioned the police for a search warrant when there is no requirement for one. Police have the right to arrest G. P. Reddy for custodial interrogation.”

The family and friends of Reddy are obstructing his arrest, saying he is unwell. However, the police is certain he will be arrested, the DCP said.

Police refutes allegations

Former Congress MP and industrialist L. Rajagopal who tried to stop police from searching the residence of one G.P. Reddy, an accused in the Women Cooperative Society land grabbing case, alleged that inspector-general of police Nagi Reddy was behind the search as his family owned a piece of land in the society.

But Mr Nagi Reddy, North Zone IG, said the mother of his mother-in-law, Pallamreddy Hamsamma, was a member of the society. “Our family is one of the victims. There is no interference and influence in the case by me since the case was registered. The case has been pending for two years without much progress, whereas the accused is taking part in all kinds of illegal activities.”

He added, “I strongly condemn the allegations made by Mr Lagadapati Rajagopal who has no locus standi in this case. I never met or spoke to GP Reddy or his son-in-law who have a role in the case. There is no truth in the allegations.”

He said the police action was per the law and could not be attributed to him.

“The police should have taken action against the persons who obstructed the discharge of their lawful duties. Society members have been waiting for appropriate action by the police for the last two years,” Mr Nagi Reddy said.