Tue Apr 01 01:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Massive Land Scam Exposed in Andhra Pradesh: 13.59 Lakh Acres Irregularly Converted to Freehold
**Vijayawada, April 1, 2025** – A major land scam involving the illegal conversion of 13.59 lakh acres of assigned land to freehold during the YCP government’s tenure has been exposed. A Revenue Department investigation has revealed that key IAS officers colluded in these violations, flouting the Assigned Lands Act and GO 596.
The investigation uncovered widespread irregularities in 13 districts, with the highest concentration in four Rayalaseema districts: Sathyasai, Annamayya, Chittoor, and Tirupati. A shocking 2.64 lakh acres of land had no revenue records whatsoever, yet were still converted to freehold. The investigation also found that 5,74,306 acres were converted violating existing laws. Further investigation is warranted, the Revenue Department suggested, hinting at the possibility of deeper-seated corruption.
The investigation points to a pattern of IAS officers, from the Tahsildar level to District Collectors, overlooking or actively facilitating these illegal land conversions under pressure from YCP leaders. The officers involved were responsible for upholding the Assigned Lands Act, but instead allegedly facilitated the transfer of vast tracts of land to powerful individuals.
The illegal conversions occurred primarily between September 2023 and March 2024. The Revenue Department report alleges that six ministers and several other officials actively participated in the scheme. The report has been submitted to the state government, which is expected to take action. The scale of the fraud, the involvement of high-ranking officials, and the lack of records for a significant portion of the land raise serious concerns about widespread corruption and abuse of power within the previous government.
First Piper 