102-yr-old freedom fighter’s land claim reaches High Court

A writ petition has been filed before the High Court of Telangana by 102-year-old freedom fighter Penchala Rajalingam, seeking justice after waiting more than two decades for the 300 square yards of land promised to him under G.O. Ms. No. 185, Revenue Department, dated March 11, 1997.

- EKALAVYA MALLEPALLI

A native of Karimnagar district, Rajalingam was born in 1922 in the erstwhile Hyderabad State and joined the Telangana Armed Struggle against the Nizam’s rule at the age of 21. He was arrested by the Nizam Police and imprisoned at Elgandal Fort in Karimnagar. After Independence, he dedicated his life to cooperative and labour movements, helping to organize agricultural labourers, bidi workers, and cultivators for fair wages and welfare. A recognised freedom fighter, he has been receiving the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension since 2003 and holds a valid freedom fighter identity card issue