Representative image showing a forest.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: The forest department has filed a police complaint against M B Manmatha, also known as Nemanna Gowda, accusing him of forging documents to grab 512 acres of forest in Chikkamagaluru’s Mudigere taluk.
In his complaint to the circle inspector, Mudigere, the assistant conservator of forests, Mudigere sub-division said survey number 147/4 and others in G Agrahara village of Gonibeedu hobli in the taluk were forest lands.
Manmatha had filed a petition before the assistant commissioner, Mudigere, claiming that the name of the forest department should be replaced with his name (in the records) in view of the grants made under the Inam Abolition Act and the necessary fee paid to get the land parcels.
The above matter is similar to yet another claim he has made over a total of 532 acres, including 517 acres of B M Kaval forest, in Bengaluru’s Kengeri.
As reported by DH on November 28, Manmatha filed a petition before the high court under another name, Nemanna Gowda.
It is the court’s ruling in his favour that brought the spotlight on Manmatha.
As Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre ordered a crackdown on the conspiracy on the afternoon of November 28, the forest officer in Mudigere moved to comply with the order of the assistant commissioner in the case pertaining to 512 acres.
“As per the order of the assistant commissioner, the appellant (Manmatha) had created forged documents with the intention of grabbing forest land. Hence, I request you to book a case against him and take necessary actions under the law,” the complaint, a copy of which is available with DH, said.
A police officer in Mudigere circle acknowledged the receipt of the complaint.
“We have received the complaint along with the order of the assistant commissioner. However, we are taking legal opinion on the matter and awaiting further documents and evidence as promised by the range forest officer,” an officer said.