Photo: AXP photography by pexels
I Written By Anshika chauhan I
In a significant escalation against alleged financial irregularities, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a major money laundering operation linked to the illegal sale of government land in Hyderabad. The agency announced on Tuesday that it seized 45 used cars including several vintage models along with ₹23 lakh in cash and foreign currency during coordinated raids across the city.
Multi-Location Raids Under PMLA
The investigation was conducted on Monday across five locations under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to the ED, these searches are part of an ongoing probe into a sophisticated land fraud involving both private individuals and government officials.
Fraudulent Claim Over ‘Bhoodan’ Land
At the center of the case lies a disputed parcel of ‘Bhoodan’ land in Nagaram village, located in Maheshwaram Mandal of Ranga Reddy district. Investigators allege that the land was falsely claimed as ancestral property by an individual named Khaderunissa.
The ED’s findings suggest that revenue records were systematically manipulated through forged documentation. This enabled the illegal mutation of ownership records and ultimately led to the land being removed from the prohibited list clearing the path for its sale to private entities.
Nexus of Middlemen and Officials
The agency has pointed to a well-organized network involving middlemen and complicit government officials. These actors allegedly collaborated to fabricate documents and alter official land records, transfer and sale of protected government land.
Seizures: Cash, Foreign Currency, and Vintage Fleet
During the raids, authorities searched multiple residences and farmhouses belonging to key suspects, including Mohd Munawar Khan and others. Among the items seized were:
₹23 lakh in Indian currency
12,000 UAE Dirhams
Numerous incriminating documents linked to fraudulent land deals
A striking collection of 45 used cars, many of them vintage, recovered from a farmhouse associated with one of the accused
Investigation Ongoing
The ED has indicated that further investigation is underway to trace the money trail and identify additional individuals involved in the operation. The case underscores the growing scrutiny on land-related frauds and highlights the agency’s intensified efforts to dismantle corruption networks exploiting public assets.
This development marks yet another high-profile enforcement action, signaling a strong stance against financial crimes tied to land manipulation and abuse of official systems.
