ACB Registers Criminal Case Against Former HMDA Director in Gachibowli Road Plan Scandal
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Hyderabad has taken decisive action by registering a criminal misconduct case against Shiva Balakrishna, the former director of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA). The case centers on serious allegations that Balakrishna manipulated a crucial road master plan in the upscale Gachibowli area, specifically in Telecom Nagar, to unlawfully benefit private parties while causing significant financial loss to an individual landowner.
Detailed Timeline of Alleged Manipulation and Legal Challenges
The chain of events, as detailed in the FIR registered under Section 7(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, spans over two years. It began in September 2022 when the Municipal Administration and Urban Development department issued Government Order Ms 170. This order realigned a proposed 100-foot road in Telecom Nagar, Gachibowli, a move that would have major implications for local landowners.
In her formal complaint to the ACB director general on February 2, 2024, G Neelima, the affected landowner, alleged that this realignment was not in the public interest but was engineered "at the request of some private parties" who owned land directly behind her property. Neelima's 70-foot wide plot in Survey No. 337 was slated for acquisition under this controversial order, threatening her property rights and development plans.
Legal Battle and Building Permission Disparities
Neelima did not take the decision lying down. She challenged the government order before the Telangana High Court through a writ petition, which resulted in the court suspending GO Ms 170 on December 21, 2022. This legal victory temporarily halted the road realignment but did not resolve all issues.
In her complaint, Neelima highlighted further irregularities. She alleged that while the owners of plots on either side of her property successfully obtained building permissions and nearly completed their constructions, her own application for building permission to HMDA remained inexplicably pending since January 21, 2023. This disparity raised serious questions about selective treatment and potential abuse of power.
ACB Investigation and Government Sanction
Based on Neelima's detailed complaint, the ACB director general ordered a thorough enquiry. Deputy Superintendent of Police D Kamalakar Reddy conducted the investigation, concluding that "violations and suspicion" surrounded the issuance of GO Ms 170. The findings suggested procedural irregularities and potential misconduct in the road alignment decision.
Citing these critical findings, the ACB DG wrote to the state government on August 28, 2024, seeking mandatory sanction to register a formal case and investigate the matter comprehensively. The state government responded positively, granting permission on January 7 to register a criminal misconduct case against Shiva Balakrishna and other officials involved.
Formal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Following the government's sanction, ACB joint director S Venkata Rao issued formal proceedings on February 5, with the FIR being registered two days later on February 7. This marks the official beginning of a detailed criminal investigation into the matter.
ACB investigators will now probe several key aspects of the case. They will examine whether Balakrishna and other officials abused their official positions to alter the road alignment for improper benefits. The investigation will also scrutinize the alleged delay in processing Neelima's building permission application, looking for patterns of discrimination or obstruction.
Background of the Accused Official
This is not the first time Shiva Balakrishna has faced legal scrutiny. The former HMDA director was previously arrested by the ACB in January 2024 in a separate Disproportionate Assets case. This prior investigation adds context to the current allegations, suggesting a pattern of behavior that authorities are now thoroughly examining.
The case represents a significant development in Hyderabad's ongoing efforts to combat corruption in urban development authorities. As the investigation progresses, it will likely reveal more details about how development plans are manipulated and the mechanisms through which public officials might benefit private interests at the expense of individual citizens.
