Legal Rights Group flags Church construction on railway land in Nellore; calls it unauthorized encroachment
The complaint states that if Railway records confirm the land belongs to the Railways, construction without valid allotment, lease, licence or permission would amount to unauthorised occupation and encroachment of public property.
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On Tuesday, August 26, a legal activist group, the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), filed a formal complaint with Railway authorities in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, calling out what they call an alleged illegal construction of a permanent church structure on Railway-owned land. The unit said that a supposed permanent Christian structure has come up in Bitragunta, Bogole Mandal, SPSR Nellore District out of nowhere and has sought urgent action for its removal.
The complaint states that if Railway land records confirm the site belongs to the Railways, the construction and occupation of the land without a valid allotment, lease, licence or permission from the competent Railway authority would amount to unauthorised occupation and encroachment of public property. LRPF has asked Railway officials to verify land records, physically inspect and demarcate the site, and determine whether any permission was ever granted for the construction.
The group has also sought identification of the individuals, organisation, trust or religious institution behind the construction, along with details of when and under whose authority the structure was built. In its complaint, LRPF has made three specific demands to the Railway authorities, which include verification of ownership of the land and removal of the alleged illegal structure.
It also asks the authorities to identify all persons or entities responsible for the construction and occupation, and pursue appropriate legal action against those found responsible.
LRPF, in the complaint, further has urged that the matter be treated as urgent, calling for a time-bound enquiry to protect Railway land and prevent further encroachment. Railway authorities are yet to issue an official response to the complaint.
According to the complaint copy exclusively obtained by Newsbharati, the structure has come up on land situated behind the Loco Shed, near the site of the erstwhile Leprosy Home in Bitragunta. LRPF has submitted a photograph purportedly showing a permanent building topped with multiple Christian crosses, which it says indicates a settled religious structure rather than a temporary installation.
Construction of Church flagged by LRPF (Image: Newsbharati)
"Behind the Railway Loco Shed, near the site of the erstwhile Leprosy Home, Bitragunta, Bogole Mandal, SPSR Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh. An unauthorized church has been constructed by encroaching upon Railway land. We lodged a complaint with the Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division, South Coast Railway @drmvijayawada, seeking immediate removal of the encroachment and appropriate action against the persons responsible for it," LRPF said in an X post.
Location: Behind the Railway Loco Shed, near the site of the erstwhile Leprosy Home, Bitragunta, Bogole Mandal, SPSR Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh.
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) August 25, 2026
An unauthorized church has been constructed by encroaching upon Railway land.
We lodged a complaint with the Divisional… pic.twitter.com/EJCnY6HEu5
The complaint states that if Railway land records confirm the site belongs to the Railways, the construction and occupation of the land without a valid allotment, lease, licence or permission from the competent Railway authority would amount to unauthorised occupation and encroachment of public property. LRPF has asked Railway officials to verify land records, physically inspect and demarcate the site, and determine whether any permission was ever granted for the construction.
The group has also sought identification of the individuals, organisation, trust or religious institution behind the construction, along with details of when and under whose authority the structure was built. In its complaint, LRPF has made three specific demands to the Railway authorities, which include verification of ownership of the land and removal of the alleged illegal structure.
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It also asks the authorities to identify all persons or entities responsible for the construction and occupation, and pursue appropriate legal action against those found responsible.
"Conduct a departmental enquiry into the role of Railway officials tasked with the protection, inspection and vigilance of the land, and initiate disciplinary action against any found negligent, derelict in duty, or complicit in allowing the construction to proceed unchecked," it further adds.
LRPF, in the complaint, further has urged that the matter be treated as urgent, calling for a time-bound enquiry to protect Railway land and prevent further encroachment. Railway authorities are yet to issue an official response to the complaint.