Miyapur land row escalates into political flashpoint in Telangana

The Supreme Court’s October 2026 verdict awarding the Telangana government ownership of 550.39 acres in Miyapur, valued at nearly Rs 50,000 crore, has opened a new political front in the state.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s plan to use the land for martyrs’ families, the poor, and welfare funding has drawn a counter-demand from BRS working president KT Rama Rao, turning the land-use question into a Congress-BRS battle.

What is the Miyapur land dispute?

The disputed land is located in Miyapur village, Serilingampally mandal, Ranga Reddy district. It comprises 277.05 acres in Survey No. 100 and 273.34 acres in Survey No. 101. Revenue records under the Sethwar system classified the entire 550.39 acres as wasteland.

Attempts to claim the property began in 1995, when some individuals allegedly used forged documents to establish ownership. The government challenged their claims, prompting the parties to approach a special court under the Andhra Pradesh Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act. After examining the cases, the court directed revenue officials to take possession of the land.

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The claimants challenged the decision in the high court in 1997. In 2003, the high court upheld the government’s ownership, following which the government took possession. The private parties then approached the Supreme Court. After a prolonged legal battle, the apex court ruled in October 2026 that the land belonged to the government.

Following the verdict, Revanth Reddy announced that houses would be built for Telangana martyrs, a portion of the land distributed among the poor, and the remaining land auctioned. The proceeds would go towards welfare schemes.

KTR’s demand

KTR has demanded houses for the families of those who sacrificed their lives for Telangana and land for the poor. The demand comes amid a controversy over 45 acres allegedly missing from Erravalli.

KTR had earlier announced that he would trace the missing land and establish a separate martyrs’ colony there. Revanth Reddy and his ministers have alleged that the 45 acres are either part of party chief K Chandrashekar Rao’s farmhouse or properties belonging to his family nearby. The allegations have angered the BRS.

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KTR’s proposal has two stated objectives: Providing a dignified life for martyrs’ families and ensuring that the poor benefit from the valuable land. While supporting martyrs’ families is unlikely to invite objections, the timing of the demand has raised questions about its political motivation.

BRS-Congress martyrs’ row

The Miyapur dispute has revived the politically sensitive question of how the families of Telangana martyrs have been treated.

During the Telangana movement, BRS leaders, including KCR, repeatedly claimed that nearly 1,200 people had sacrificed their lives for statehood. However, there are no definitive figures establishing the exact number.

After Telangana was formed, KCR and BRS leaders promised to give martyrs’ families due recognition. But despite being in power for nearly nine years, the then KCR government allegedly did not hold even one meeting with them. This fuelled resentment among movement activists and the families of martyrs.

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Revanth Reddy is now seeking to turn that discontent into a political advantage by proposing a martyrs’ colony either near Erravalli or on the Miyapur land.

KTR, apparently wary of the Erravalli proposal, has repeatedly argued that Miyapur would be a better location. He maintains that a colony in the heart of Hyderabad would serve the families better than Erravalli, around 70 km from the city.

Whether Revanth Reddy accepts the suggestion and how KTR pursues the issue will shape the next phase of this political battle.