Srikakulam (Andhra Pradesh): Police in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district have arrested eight people, including former Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram, in connection with an alleged land-grabbing conspiracy involving forged government documents, a fake death certificate, and fabricated inheritance records to illegally acquire a prime property valued at ₹30–40 million (₹3–4 crore).
According to Srikakulam Rural Police, a total of 13 people have been named in the case. Eight accused have been arrested and produced before a local court, while special police teams are searching for the remaining five suspects.
The investigation began after a complaint regarding a vacant 900-square-yard residential plot located in Sathya Sai Nagar, Chapuram Gram Panchayat, Balaga. Police said the land had been legally purchased in 1988 and 1992 by the complainant’s father, who later relocated to Hyderabad for work, leaving the property vacant for several years.
Investigators allege that the accused exploited the prolonged vacancy by obtaining the property’s original link documents and creating forged government records to establish a false ownership claim.
According to police, the conspiracy involved preparing a fake death certificate declaring the original owner, Andavarapu Govindarajulu, deceased even though he is alive. Using the forged certificate, the accused allegedly secured a fraudulent Family Member Certificate and projected Adabala alias Andavarapu Rajini as the sole legal heir, enabling the property’s alleged fraudulent registration.
The alleged fraud came to light when the accused reportedly attempted to construct a boundary wall around the disputed land. Members of the original owner’s family objected to the construction and later approached the police after allegedly receiving threats.
Police have identified Telugu Satish Kumar as the alleged mastermind of the operation. Investigators claim he coordinated the preparation of forged documents and facilitated the fraudulent registration with the assistance of associates Trinadh and Koona Peddiraju.
According to investigators, Tammineni Venkata Sriramulu, son of former Speaker Tammineni Sitaram, was shown as the purchaser of the property. Police further allege that Tammineni Sitaram and his wife, Tammineni Vani, were also part of the conspiracy and arranged for four lecturers from a private degree college run by the family to sign the registration documents as witnesses.
The investigation has also raised questions about the role of the then Sub-Registrar, who has been named as an accused. Police allege the property registration was completed without mandatory PAN verification or submission of Form 60, despite the transaction exceeding ₹500,000. Investigators further claim that the names and addresses in the supporting documents were not properly verified before the registration was approved.
During the investigation, police seized multiple mobile phones and counterfeit government department rubber stamps allegedly used in the conspiracy.
Authorities said the probe is continuing to trace the remaining accused and determine whether similar fraudulent land transactions were carried out using forged government documents. The allegations remain under investigation, and the guilt or innocence of the accused will be determined through the judicial process.
