Telangana Chief Minister Orders Comprehensive CB-CID Probe into Illegal Mining Since State Formation
In a dramatic turn of events during a high-voltage assembly session in Hyderabad, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced on Saturday a sweeping investigation by the Crime Branch–Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID) into all illegal mining and sand mafia activities in Telangana. The probe will cover the period from June 2, 2014—the date of Telangana's formation—up to the present day.
Assembly Descends into Chaos Over Mining Allegations
The announcement came after nearly two hours of intense disruption in the legislative house. Members of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), led by deputy leader T. Harish Rao, raised serious allegations against Raghava Constructions, triggering heated exchanges, slogan-shouting, and protests in the well of the House. The opposition demanded either a House committee probe, an inquiry by a sitting judge, or the resignation of Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy.
Harish Rao presented what he described as documented evidence, alleging that Raghava Constructions—which he claimed was linked to Minister Ponguleti—had been conducting illegal stone-crushing operations in the GO 111 zone. He stated that these activities violated environmental and mining regulations and called for a judicial inquiry into the matter.
Chief Minister Expands Probe Scope, Names Multiple Firms
Intervening to break the deadlock, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy significantly expanded the scope of the investigation. He named multiple firms allegedly connected to BRS leaders and their families, including Midwest Granites, Swetha Granites, and Gayatri Granites, along with other entities involved in sand and mining operations.
"The CB-CID would investigate illegal mining, sand mafia activities, and irregularities involving these firms as well as Raghava Constructions, and that its findings would be tabled in the next session of the assembly," Revanth declared.
The Chief Minister firmly asserted that Revenue Minister Ponguleti had no connection with Raghava Constructions. He accused BRS leaders of deliberately targeting the minister and attempting to blackmail him for not approving works they had recommended. "Neither Ponguleti nor the government would yield to such tactics," Revanth emphasized.
Government Actions and Revenue Statistics Presented
Revanth Reddy revealed that the government had already taken independent action against Raghava Constructions, issuing notices and collecting Rs 1.52 crore in seigniorage charges and Rs 1.22 crore as permit fees. He stressed that this enforcement was not prompted by opposition complaints.
Highlighting revenue trends, the Chief Minister noted that the state had earned Rs 721 crore from sand in 2024–25 and Rs 972 crore so far in 2025–26, reflecting a substantial 35 percent increase. He questioned opposition claims of a slowdown in the real estate sector, asking how sand revenues could rise if the sector were indeed declining.
Counter-Allegations and Personal Remarks
In a sharp counter-attack, Revanth Reddy alleged that Harish Rao and K. Rama Rao had been involved in irregularities related to mining and sand operations during the previous BRS government. He dismissed attempts to link Minister Ponguleti to Raghava Constructions, stating, "Every Reddy will have a near or a distant relative in Telangana or Andhra Pradesh. The business activities of distant or extended family members could not be attributed to a minister."
In a personal remark, he alleged that it was KTR who had expelled his sister K Kavitha from their home and the party following a dispute over property sharing.
Opposition Presents Detailed Allegations
Earlier in the session, Harish Rao presented detailed allegations, stating that inspections by multiple departments had revealed large quantities of illegally stored stone. He confirmed that Raghava Constructions was operating without essential approvals, including licenses and pollution clearances.
He further alleged that despite notices, penalties, and repeated inspections, the firm had continued operations, even using diesel generators without a legal power connection. This raised significant concerns over environmental damage and risks to nearby water bodies.
Harish Rao accused the government of double standards in enforcement and claimed that corruption and irregularities in the mining sector were causing substantial losses to public revenue. He challenged the government to order an independent inquiry, asserting that if the minister had no connection to the firm, there should be no hesitation in ordering a judicial or House probe. He warned that the opposition would continue to press the issue.
Ministerial Defense and Assembly Adjournment
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and other ministers demanded that Harish Rao withdraw the minister's name from his allegations. As the standoff continued, Speaker G Prasad Kumar ordered that Ponguleti's name be expunged from the official records.
With BRS members persisting in their protests, the House was adjourned and is scheduled to reconvene on Sunday, setting the stage for further political confrontation over the mining controversy.
