Nalgonda collector restores elderly couple’s home
NALGONDA: A couple from Miryalaguda in Nalgonda district have regained possession of their house after years of legal battles, alleged harassment and financial hardship.
Seventy-one-year-old Enjam Ramana Reddy and his wife Chandrakala, 66, said they were forced to fight for years to reclaim their property. Their struggle ended after Nalgonda District Collector Badugu Chandrasekhar invoked powers under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, and ordered their younger son to vacate the house.
Couple alleges property fraud and eviction
The couple, residents of Housing Board Colony in Miryalaguda, have two sons and a daughter. Their elder son is settled in the United States, while their daughter is married.
According to the couple, they had already given nearly four acres of land to their younger son, Dayakar Reddy, who was unemployed. They also allowed his wife and daughters to stay in their house at Enjamvarigudem village in Nereducherla mandal for their livelihood.
Using their life savings, Ramana Reddy and Chandrakala built a house in Miryalaguda Housing Board Colony and purchased an adjacent three-gunta plot. They alleged that Dayakar Reddy later moved into the house with his family, claiming it was needed for the children’s education.
The couple alleged that in October 2022, their son created forged registration documents and showed the property as having been sold to his wife. When they attempted to return to the Miryalaguda house because of health issues, they were allegedly driven out. They said local residents were unwilling to support them due to fears of legal complications.
As a result, the couple returned to their old house in the village.
Legal disputes deepen financial distress
Chandrakala alleged that her son stopped their Rythu Bandhu assistance and threatened villagers against leasing their agricultural land. This, she said, worsened their financial condition.
The couple further alleged that Dayakar Reddy filed 22 cases against them in various courts, including allegations related to dowry harassment and land disputes. They said they were forced to make frequent court appearances, causing severe financial and emotional strain.
Following their complaints, officials conducted an inquiry and initiated action under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. A case was registered against Dayakar Reddy in February this year. Acting on the Collector’s orders, officials recently restored possession of the Miryalaguda house to the elderly couple.
Ramana Reddy recently suffered a paralytic stroke and requires regular medical treatment. Chandrakala said they spend nearly ₹15,000 every month on medicines and medical tests for paralysis, knee pain and other age-related ailments.
Officials hand over house to owners
The couple currently survive with financial support from their daughter and elder son in the United States.
Chandrakala said their elder son, who last visited India in June 2022, wants to return to see his parents but fears becoming entangled in legal disputes created by his younger brother.
The couple also alleged that Dayakar Reddy had previously sent local rowdies to pressure them into transferring their remaining properties. They claimed they were physically attacked while working in their fields and had lodged a police complaint.
Citing deteriorating health and the lack of a secure place to live, the couple approached the District Collector seeking protection and restoration of their Miryalaguda house.
After an inquiry, Collector Badugu Chandrasekhar ordered Dayakar Reddy to vacate the property. M. Nagi Reddy of the Senior Citizens Division in the district welfare department said the house was formally handed back to the couple in the presence of revenue and police officials.
“We will not take our houses and lands with us to the grave. Ultimately, everything will belong to our children. Even then, we do not understand why our younger son harassed us so severely for property,” Ramana Reddy and Chandrakala said.
Although they have regained possession of the Miryalaguda house, the couple said they remain worried about their village property. They alleged that Dayakar Reddy threatened to break open the locks and occupy that house as well.
The couple have now decided to raise the issue again before the District Collector during the Prajavani grievance programme.
