Encroachment of forest lands in Chittoor: Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan orders registering of criminal cases -OxBig News Network

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan. File
| Photo Credit: K.V.S. Giri

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment & Forest K. Pawan Kalyan ordered that necessary action be taken against the officials who failed to crack down on the alleged encroachment of forest lands in Chittoor district by former Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, his family members and others in 2019-2024. 

During a review on the matter on Tuesday (May 13, 2025), Mr. Kalyan said the Director General of Vigilance & Enforcement Department has recommended that criminal cases be booked on the encroachers and action taken against the officials concerned for dereliction of duty. 

Mr. Ramachandra Reddy and his family are accused of encroaching forest lands and land that belongs to Bugga Matham in the combined Chittoor district.

The Deputy CM sought a report on the officials who failed to protect the lands and directed that Departmental action should be initiated against them, and charges framed on the encroachers as per the environmental laws.