The Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh has begun reinvestigating old cases against YSR Congress Party leaders, which were allegedly suppressed during Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure.
In a recent move, the Chandrababu Naidu government has ordered a probe into the alleged forgery of Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy’s signature by YSRCP leader and former minister Kakani Goverdhan Reddy to obtain illegal gravel mining permits in Sarvepalli, Nellore district.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising ten police officials has been formed under the supervision of the Bapatla SP, with Bapatla DSP serving as the investigating officer. The SIT reportedly began its probe two days ago.
The incident occurred during the Jagan regime when Magunta, then a YSRCP member, filed a complaint regarding the forged permit. However, since the YSRCP was in power, and top party leaders were allegedly involved in the illegal trade, the case was suppressed.
Reports suggest that large-scale gravel looting took place from the Sarvepalli Reservoir. As Kakani was not only the local MLA but also a minister, the illegal gravel trade continued unchecked. Using fake identities and entities, permits were obtained from the Irrigation Department, and the stolen gravel was sold in bulk.
With high demand for gravel due to railway track construction, national highway projects, and the ‘Jagananna Layout’ housing scheme, prices soared, prompting YSRCP leaders in Sarvepalli to exploit the opportunity by illegally mining from the reservoir.
On June 18, 2021, a permit for 1,000 tons of soil was issued in the name of Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy. When the illegal mining issue surfaced in the media, the Venkatachalam police registered a case and issued notices to Magunta.
Outraged, Magunta denied any involvement, stating that his name was falsely used, and later, it was revealed that his signature had been forged by local YSRCP leaders. He immediately filed a complaint, confirming the forgery.
With the TDP-led coalition in power, the government has reopened the case. The SIT has already seized records from the Irrigation Department office in Nellore and the Venkatachalam police station as part of the investigation.