Another land fraud surfaces

As many as 70 people, including the revenue department officials, are said to have created fake documents to grab land in survey numbers 4, 43 and 52 at Siddagondanahalli in Mathodu hobli and in survey number 31 in Shivanakatte in Kasaba hobli.

The land here is rich in iron ore deposits and officials suspect that those involved planned to sell the land to mining companies. Documents have been rigged since 1980-81 and officials are said to be deeply involved in the scam.

Sub-divisional officer Venkatesh, who conducted an inquiry and found the involvement of 70 people in the fraud, has submitted a report to the Deputy Commissioner. The rigging of documents came to light when certain documents were dated February 30.

The fake documents submitted for the land in survey number 52 at Siddagondanahalli had not just forged signatures, but also the date had been entered as February 30, 1981.

A group ‘D’ employee Chitrappa and village assistant Mallikarjunappa have confessed to have helped create fake documents for the 195 acres of government land with a person identified as Rudrappa.

Deputy Commissioner Amlan Adithya Biswas has ordered the filing of criminal cases under Section 1860 of the IPC against all those involved in land-grabbing.

He has also ordered a departmental inquiry against officials involved in the case.