What is “Prohibited Land” in Telangana? How to Check Survey Numbers (Section 22A Guide)

You find a plot in a prime location. The price is 30% lower than the market rate. The seller says, “It is an urgent sale, that’s why the low price.” You get excited. You pay the advance. But when you go to the Registrar Office, the officer types the Survey Number and says: “Sir, this is Prohibited Land. Registration Rejected.”

Your money is stuck. The seller stops picking up your calls. This is not a movie script; it is the reality for thousands of buyers in Telangana who did not check the “Prohibited Properties List” before paying.

Must Read:This article is part of our Ultimate Property Registration Guide 2026. If you find a clear property, follow this guide to register it safely on the Bhu Bharati portal.

In this guide, we explain exactly what Section 22A is, the different types of “Banned” lands, and how you can check the status of any survey number online in 2 minutes.

What is Section 22A (The “Red List”)?

Section 22A of the Registration Act, 1908, gives the government the power to Stop Registration of certain properties. If a survey number is listed under Section 22A, the Sub-Registrar is legally bound to reject the transaction. He cannot register it even if he wants to.

Why does this list exist? To protect:

1. Government Lands: Preventing people from encroaching and selling state property.
2. Religious Lands: Protecting Temple (Endowment) and Wakf properties.
3. Forest Lands: Preventing deforestation.
4. Assigned Lands: Lands given to the poor for farming, which cannot be sold to others.

Related Article: 20 Documents to Check Before Buying an Open Plot (Due Diligence Checklist)

The 5 Danger Categories of Prohibited Land

Before you check the portal, you must understand what you are looking for.

1. Government Land (Poramboke / Shikam)

These are lands owned by the State.

• Common Types: Village Roads, Grazing Lands (Bancharai), Tank Beds (Shikam), and Canal Buffers.
• The Scam: Real estate mafia often creates fake layouts on “Bancharai” land and sells them to unsuspecting buyers.

2. Endowment & Wakf Lands

• Endowment: Lands donated to Temples or Mutts. The Deity is the owner.
• Wakf: Lands donated for Muslim religious or charitable purposes.
• The Rule: These lands can NEVER be sold. Even if someone shows you a 50-year-old Sale Deed, it is invalid. The Supreme Court has ruled that “Once a Wakf, always a Wakf.”

3. Forest Land

Lands falling under the “Reserve Forest” zones.

• The Risk: In areas like Vikarabad or Chevella, many farm plots unknowingly encroach into forest boundaries. Forest officials can demolish your fencing without notice.

4. Assigned Land (Laavoni Patta)

This is the most tricky one.

• What is it: The government gives land to landless poor farmers for cultivation.
• The Condition: This land is Heritable but Not Transferable. The farmer can pass it to his son, but he Cannot Sell It.
• The Scam: Brokers buy this land cheaply from poor farmers and sell it as “Open Plots.” The registration will be blocked under the POT (Prohibition of Transfers) Act.

5. Court Litigation (Injunction Orders)

If two parties are fighting a court case over a property, the court sends an “Injunction Order” to the Registrar. The survey number is temporarily added to the Prohibited List until the case is resolved.

Related Article: HMDA vs DTCP vs YTDA: Which Layout Approval is Safe? (2026 Guide)

How to Check Your Survey Number Online (Step-by-Step)

You don’t need to visit the MRO office or pay a broker to find this out. You can check it from your phone in 2 minutes on the Bhu Bharati Portal.

Step 1: Visit the Bhu Bharati Portal

Go to https://bhubharati.telangana.gov.in/ (The new 2026 official site).

Step 2: Click on “Prohibited Lands Search”

On the home dashboard, look for the option that says “Prohibited Lands (Section 22A)”. It is usually highlighted in Red.

Step 3: Enter Details

Select your:

• District (e.g., Rangareddy)
• Mandal (e.g., Shadnagar)
• Village (e.g., Farooqnagar)
• Survey Number (e.g., 202/A)

Step 4: The Result

Click “Fetch Details”.

• If the Result says “Clear” / “Patta Land”: You are safe. The land is registerable.
• If the Result says “Prohibited”: The system will show why.
  • Example: “Government Land / Bancharai”
  • Example: “Endowment Land / Temple”
  • Example: “Court Stay Order”

Warning: If you see any text in the “Remarks” column, DO NOT PAY. Take a screenshot and show it to your lawyer.

Related Article: Stamp Duty & Registration Charges Calculator Telangana (Latest 2026 Rates)

“My Land is Wrongly Listed! What Do I Do?”

This is a common problem. Sometimes, private Patta land is wrongly entered as “Government Land” due to clerical errors during the digitization process (from the old Pahani records).

The Solution: File a Grievance

In 2026, the Bhu Bharati portal has a specific module called “Land Matters / Grievances.”

1. Apply Online: Login to the portal and select “Grievance on Prohibited Property.”
2. Upload Proof: You must upload your Old Sale Deeds (Link Documents) and Old Pattadar Passbooks (from before 2020) to prove that this was private land for decades.
3. The Process: The application goes to the District Collector.
4. Field Inspection: The MRO (Tehsildar) will visit the land, verify the physical possession, and check the old “Sethwar” maps.
5. The Order: If your claim is genuine, the District Collector will issue a proceeding to “De-Notify” the land from the Prohibited List.

Time Taken: This process takes 3 to 6 months. Do not buy the land until the name is removed from the list. A “promise” from the seller is not enough.

Related Article: Risks of Buying Notary Land in Hyderabad: Why It’s a Financial Trap (2026)

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