Decoding HYDRAA move to reclaim 861 acres of land worth Rs 15,000 crore in massive Ameenpur operation

In probably the largest land reclamation operation in recent history, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) secured 861 acres of government land in Ailapur village—located in the Ameenpur mandal of the Sangareddy district—on April 11.

The agency stated that the current market value of the land, located in the suburbs of Hyderabad, is estimated at over Rs 15,000 crore.

Working in coordination with the revenue, municipal, and police departments under heavy security, the HYDRAA teams erected fencing around the vacant government land, demolished illegal structures, and put a definitive stop to what officials say was years of brazen encroachment and fraudulent land sales.

The land in question—Survey Numbers 1 to 220 of Ailapur village, totalling 1,263 acres—originally belonged to the Nizam rulers and was recorded as government land following the merger of the state of Hyderabad.

Notably, this comes amid reports claiming that the Telangana High Court had issued a stay order on the HYDRAA operation. In fact, officials from HYDRAA told THE WEEK that there is no such stay order imposed, as of now.

In 2003, a High Court Division Bench order formally confirmed its government status, with the then joint collector declaring all 1,263 acres as government land—a significant portion of which has already been occupied by residential developments.

Despite that ruling, disputes persisted. A family claimed 475 acres, producing patta documents, and the matter has been in court ever since.

In 2013, the High Court issued an interim order directing that the status quo be maintained over the lands—meaning no construction, no sales, no alteration of any kind until a final verdict.

However, the HYDRAA officials said the status quo orders—which have been issued since 1998—were ignored by certain constructions, including the demolished guest house.

At the centre of Saturday’s operation is M.A. Mukheem, whom HYDRAA said was an advocate who had no legitimate claim over the disputed land. A press statement from HYDRAA said Mukheem’s father had worked for a Diwan under the Nizam and received 19 acres through a private arrangement—land that was, in any case, government property.

Mukheem’s father allegedly sold that land as plots. Mukheem then went further, encroaching upon an additional 21 acres to build a sprawling farmhouse.

Over the years, Mukheem allegedly sold up to 300 acres of government land at rates ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 per square yard, pocketing hundreds of crores. He reportedly used those proceeds to acquire properties in other states.

He is also alleged to have maintained close ties with elected representatives and systematically managed government machinery to facilitate his operations.

HYDRAA stated that Mukheem has more than 19 cases registered against him, including a double murder case, an attempted murder case, a case for threatening an MRO, and another for intimidating prospective plot buyers at the Rajendranagar police station.

According to the agency, Mukheem has also been registered as a notorious criminal in connection with a separate 12-acre land dispute in Madhapur. The police have since cancelled his gun licence and seized his firearm.

Acting on a report submitted by the Aminpur tahsildar to HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath—and in compliance with the 2013 High Court interim order—HYDRAA launched its operation early Saturday morning.

HYDRAA teams have also pulled down his brother M.A. Azeem’s three six-storey towers, built across 2.20 acres. Mukheem’s luxurious farmhouse—spread over 40 acres, which has a swimming pool and horse stables—was demolished. HYDRAA has erected a fence around all 861 acres of remaining vacant government land.

In 2023, revenue authorities had already demolished nearly 250 houses and shops built on plots that Mukheem had sold in Rajagopalnagar Colony.

During the operation, Ranganath repeatedly announced that residents who had bought land and built homes would not be disturbed. He was communicating with media members throughout the day over the agency’s official WhatsApp channel.

“The fencing was carefully planned to avoid inconvenience to villagers and residents of Ailapur Tanda. The land will remain secured in status quo until the pending writ appeals before the High Court reach their final verdict,” the commissioner said.