The CID alleged that people living Below Poverty Line (BPL), holding white ration cards purchased 700 acres of land worth over Rs 2000 crore during 2014-15. According to the CID investigation, 797 white ration card holders who earn less than Rs 5,000 a month, purchased 700 acres of land whose market value has amounted to Rs 200 crore -- in Amaravati capital region.
"Over 700 acres of land was purchased by white ration cardholders who declared their monthly income is below Rs 5,000. With these earnings, how can they purchase land worth over Rs 200 crore, that is the big question," CID ADG PV Sunil Kumar said.
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"The land registrations were done during 2014 and 2015 in Amaravati. Huge cash transactions took place in purchasing lands. Many involved in the deals don't even have PAN cards," said CID SP Mary Prasanthi, who is also the investigating officer.
The CID ADG told news agency that the department has now sought help of the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax department to further investigate possible tax evasion and money laundering. A case has also been registered by the CID in the matter of great concern.
Meanwhile, the CID on Thursday booked two former ministers of the Chandrababu Naidu regime for 'forcefully' purchasing land from a Dalit woman. A case has ben registered against former ministers and TDP leaders P Narayana and P Pulla Rao after a woman alleged that the two had forcefully purchased her land.