Lokayukta orders probe into Bhu Bharati registration scam

The Telangana Lokayukta has taken suo motu cognizance of alleged large-scale irregularities in property registration under the Telangana Bhu Bharati system and ordered a comprehensive investigation.

According to official sources, the Lokayukta has directed key State departments to submit detailed reports on the matter. Instructions have been issued to the Chief Secretary, Chief Commissioner of Revenue Land Administration (CCLA), Commissioner of Stamps and Registration, Inspector General, Mee Seva Commissioner, and the Registrar of Stamps and Registration in Jangaon district.

Preliminary findings suggest that a gang has been evading stamp duty charges by manipulating payment challans using third-party applications. In one shocking instance, fraudsters allegedly siphoned off ₹8,55,577 from 10 challans in a single day in Jangaon district.

The scam reportedly involves editing the challan amount before payment, with suspicions of collusion by technical staff from the CCLA. The Jangaon police registered a case on January 7, 2026 based on a complaint filed by local tahsildar Indrapally Hussain, and have launched investigations.

An owner of an internet centre in Yadadri has been identified as a key suspect in altering challans and facilitating fraudulent transactions.

Officials believe the scam may have roots in the previous Dharani slot booking system under the previous BRS government, raising concerns about systemic loopholes.

Meanwhile, police have reportedly taken four persons into custody with regard to the case and are investigating the nexus between MeeSeva operators, private internet centres, revenue staff, and cybercriminals.

Sources said that the fraudsters had hacked the Bhu Bharati database, which is linked to a mobile app used by revenue authorities. When landowners approached MeeSeva centres for services, operators allegedly worked with cybercrime gangs to alter transaction amounts on the portal and generate challans showing reduced figures.