In a City where land is increasingly being associated with crime, this is another pointer to the shady link.

 On October 12, 2006 Christopher Ireland, who owns a 38-gunta property in Whitefield, resisted 25 to 30 people as they barged into his property claiming “ownership” on his land, even as policemen allegedly remained spectators. And nine months after the Whitefield police filed an FIR, the Irelands continue to host the unwelcome visitors.

According to documents — copies of which are with Deccan Herald — the K R Puram Sub-Registrar Office had legalised a fake deed of absolute sale (sale consideration of Rs 6.7 lakh), between Ireland (as vendor) and one Mohammed Shafiualla (as purchaser) on September 27, 2003. “They furnished a photograph of someone else posing as myself, got my signature, thumb impression and address faked and worse, got the deed registered at the SRO,” Ireland said. He also backed his claims with copies of his encumbrance certificate as well as Bescom bills (as latest as of February 2007).

Goons attack
Ireland said goons continued to threaten his family with serious consequences if it didn’t vacate the property.
According to Ireland, goons had smashed his television set and taken away Rs 25,000 from his house.
Despite the First Investigation Report, dated October 13, 2006, police have not initiated action against the culprits, including those who had signed the deed as witnesses, he alleged.

According to him, the culprits had filed a case — on the ownership of the property — with a dummy respondent and got a favourable verdict because the “respondent” didn’t turn up at the court.

“They went ahead and showed the police that they had a court order to prove their ownership...
And after all this, those who threatened to kill us are walking free on the street,” he said.

Details missing
Police sources, reacting to the allegation, claimed the accused were arrested, produced in the court and released on October 20, 2006. They, however, said that no details on the release had been entered into the case file.
“We need to find out why the details are missing. Since we have been directed to open the case again, we’ll make a fresh application in this connection,” a police official told Deccan Herald.

Ireland dismissed the police contention and maintained his family had been threatened even after the claimed arrest.