The Special Investigation Team (SIT) which is investigating the Visakhapatnam land scam, has taken up a complaint filed by BJP MLA P Vishnu Kumar Raju, over alleged land grabbing in Madhavadhara.
Vishnu had alleged that one Sanapala Sitaram forcibly grabbed about 7.08 acres in the area.
The Times of India reported that the state government issued pattas for 2 acres each in survey nos. 13/1, 13/2 and 13/3 to G Gopala Rao, Sanapala Ammanamma and Narsamma in 1975, and Sitaram occupied survey number 13/3 and moved the High Court, claiming that the land belonged to him.
Speaking to TOI, the MLA said, "He issued a newspaper statement on March 8, 2015 saying that the land belongs to him. I complained to the SIT that the land belongs to the government and it was occupied. Today, the SIT officials visited my house and took the details. I have given them certain documents and a copy of the writ petition filed by the private person."
“Sitaram not only grabbed the land belonging to two private parties, but also the government land and had gone to the extent of selling 97 sq yards of government land to one VVV Satya Prasad through an unregistered sale deed. This was brought earlier to the notice of officials concerned in the revenue department, but they did not react to it,” the MLA told The Hindu.
This comes after Andhra Roads and Buildings Minister Ayyanna Patrudu also met the SIT earlier this month, and submitted documents, pertaining to the land scam.
The scam deals with allegations of encroachments over several acres of land and tampering of records, with more than 100 complaints from across Visakhapatnam district.
It is reported to involve more than 1,000 acres of land in Madhurawada and Kommadi areas of Visakhapatnam, and has kicked up a political storm in the state since it came to light.
On June 11, days after the scam came to light, the state had formed an SIT consisting of Police, Revenue and Law Department officials.
However, the SIT has not satisfied the Opposition parties, who are demanding a CBI probe into the scam.