Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks against the large-scale felling of trees in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao on Friday demanded a thorough investigation by central agencies into the alleged financial fraud involved in the land sale.
Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR, took to X to express his cautious appreciation for the Prime Minister’s concern regarding the environmental destruction in Telangana, and urged the BJP-led Centre to act decisively.
“I was heartened to hear your speech about the destruction of Kancha Gachibowli Forest by Telangana CM Revanth Reddy. However, I hope it's not just lip service,” he wrote.
He termed the razing of the forest area not only an environmental tragedy but also a “massive financial fraud perpetrated by Congress Govt,” claiming it involved the loss of biodiversity across more than 100 acres.
Rao further stated that BRS had already brought the matter to the attention of several central investigative bodies.
“We have already alerted by writing to investigating agencies CVC, CBI, SFIO, SEBI and RBI about the Rs 10,000 crore financial fraud involving the mortgage of Kancha Gachibowli land,” he said.
He cited findings by the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to bolster his claims.
“The Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee has confirmed the existence of a financial impropriety and emphasised the need for a thorough investigation with central agencies,” Rao added.
He called on the central government to expedite action, stating:
“I urge the central government to take this matter seriously and expedite the investigation. It's time to prove that in Telangana, BJP and Congress aren't colluding, and you, Prime Minister, truly care about environmental protection and accountability.”
On 14 April, while addressing a rally in Hisar, Haryana, Prime Minister Modi had criticised the Congress for destroying forests through rampant bulldozing.
“The government is busy destroying jungles through bulldozers, causing damage to nature, endangering animals. This is the working style of the Congress,” the Prime Minister had said.
His remarks came shortly after the Supreme Court intervened to halt deforestation in the region. A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih ordered the Telangana Wildlife Warden to take immediate steps for the protection of affected wildlife. The apex court warned the state against any further felling of trees, stating not “even a single tree should be felled.”
It also threatened to send responsible state officials to a “temporary prison” on the deforested site if justification for the tree-felling was provided.
Students from the University of Hyderabad have also been protesting against the auction of the land, demanding its transfer to the university instead.
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