Hyderabad’s real estate scene has been rocked by revelations linking CSK, a prominent company, to mafia activities. Allegations include illegal land acquisitions, coercion, and corruption, raising concerns over the city’s booming property market. Authorities are intensifying investigations to dismantle the network, as citizens call for swift action against those involved.
Chimanlal Suresh Kumar under Investigation
Chimanlal Suresh Kumar, a textile trader turned real estate mogul, is under investigation for his involvement in a multi-crore scam related to encroaching and selling lake land at Shastripuram. This investigation has revealed a series of illegal activities, including the demolition of unauthorized structures.
In Hyderabad’s Old City, Chimanlal Suresh Kumar, or CSK, is well-known as a textile trader in his late 50s. He is reportedly connected to a real estate mafia and is accused of encroaching on the land of the historic Rukn-Ud-Dowla lake in Shastripuram.
Recently, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Authority (HYDRA) demolished 13 multi-storey buildings and 11 boundary walls built on this encroached land.
The Encroachment Scheme
Sources suggest that Suresh Kumar, in partnership with the King’s Group, purchased lake land from Mohammed Khader. Over the course of eight years, he allegedly filled the lake and started a real estate venture on the land, spanning over 11 acres.
Many buyers were deceived into purchasing plots after being assured that the land was not part of the lake. One buyer, Safia Begum, claimed to have paid for a 300-square yard plot, only to lose everything after HYDRA’s demolition.
Political Connections and Alleged Fraudulent Practices
Suresh Kumar is said to have used his political connections to mortgage and sell the encroached land. Reliable sources reveal that he prepared documents in his eldest son’s name to legitimize the land acquisition. After HYDRA demolished the illegal structures, Suresh Kumar went underground, with authorities now seeking his whereabouts.
Activists Speak Out
Dr. Lubna Sarwath, an activist-politician, expressed her shock upon witnessing the destruction of the lake in 2022. She had filed a complaint with HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath about the land being filled with debris and developed with roads and sewer lines. Her complaint highlighted the ongoing encroachment since 2014.
Past Allegations and Legal Trouble
Suresh Kumar’s reputation is marred by a series of legal issues. In 2020, he was arrested in Shadnagar after a construction contract dispute with a Surat-based textile trader. Additionally, he is named in several cheating, forgery, and threatening cases, including a case filed a decade ago with the Moinabad police.
In response to the allegations, Suresh Kumar’s company, CSK Realtors Limited, denied any wrongdoing. The company’s legal counsel stated that CSK Realtors had entered into agreements with original landowners (pattedars) and sold the land in parts. They insisted that the land was not part of the lake and had not been encroached upon, arguing that no false claims were made to the purchasers.
HYDRAA Demolition
HYDRAA’s ongoing crackdown against illegal constructions led to the demolition of 12 multi-storied buildings and over 40 compound walls built on the full tank level (FTL) of the Rukn-Ud-Dowla lake. The demolition drive took place amid heavy police presence and was part of a larger effort to recover encroached lake land.
Political Resistance and Legal Action
During the demolition, AIMIM legislator Mohammed Mubeen, along with 14 others, attempted to halt the operation. However, the police swiftly took them into preventive custody. Additionally, one of the demolished buildings was allegedly constructed by the MLA. Nevertheless, authorities emphasized that all illegal structures would be demolished, irrespective of the individuals involved.
HYDRAA’s Efforts to Recover Encroached Land
The demolished structures spanned 10 acres of land. HYDRAA successfully recovered the land from encroachers, with Commissioner A.V. Ranganath present at the site. He warned realtors and builders against constructing on FTL and buffer zones of water bodies, vowing to take strict legal action against violators.
Lake Shrinkage: An Alarming Trend
HYDRAA Commissioner Ranganath highlighted the alarming reduction in the extent of lakes in Hyderabad, citing data from the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC). Between 1979 and 2024, Hyderabad’s lakes have shrunk by 61%, a situation that demands urgent attention and intervention.
The Mailardevpally police stated that 150 personnel were deployed to ensure the demolitions were carried out peacefully. Meanwhile, on Saturday, HYDRA demolished illegal constructions around Erla Cheruvu near Madinaguda in Hyderabad. This included multi-storied buildings, compound walls, and unauthorized layouts. #hydkhabar
About The Author
Aafia Ayman 
Siddharth Anand