JOIN USS Lokesh and Gangadhar had filed a petition stating that Ramdas had converted 58 sites illegally by presenting fake documents.
The petitioners stated that Survey No 32, 33, 34 amounting to 18 acres in Malalavadi in Mysore district was certified as agricultural land. They contended that between 1987-1993, Ramdas converted them into 58 sites and using general power of attorney purchased these sites.
Later, he showed fake documents stating there were houses constructed on the sites and obtained khatas for them. At no point had he paid any conversion charges.
When reports of this irregularity emerged in the media in 1995, the Deputy Commissioner appointed the Special Land Acquisition officer to conduct an inquiry. The report submitted by the Land Acquisition Officer stated that all the allegations had been found to be true. Later, the DC wrote to the Secretary of Housing and Town Development Authority seeking instructions on how to proceed, but there was no reply to the letter.
The petitioners have sought to know why no action was taken. The division bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar ordered issue of notice to all respondents.
‘Rehabilitate Bhangi community’
The High Court on Thursday directed the state to rehabilitate the Bhangi community and submit a detailed report to the High Court by June 30.
R N Narasimhamurthy had petitioned the High Court after an incident where four Bhangi families in Savanur in Haveri district poured human excreta over themselves as a sign of protest against those trying to evict them from their homes.
The Bhangi community had traditionally worked as night soil workers and according to the government’s report, there are 296 Bhangi families in the State. The State has been directed to rehabilitate them through the Dr B R Ambedkar Development Corporation (BRADC).