Ramaswamy seeks criminal action against special DC

Ramanjaneya dropped 428 cases of land encroachment

Ramaswamy, a former chairman of the Joint Legislature Committee that probed encroachment of government lands, sought criminal proceedings against the officer, and a high-level probe to expose those behind the ‘racket.’

Ramanjaneya took arbitrary decisions to drop 428 cases pertaining to encroachment of 1,042 acres of government land in the taluks of Bangalore (North), Bangalore (North Additional), Bangalore West, Bangalore South and Anekal, he said. “This could not have been done without the support of the government and at the behest of the land mafia. A high-level probe needs to be ordered to expose the culprits,” he said.

The former legislator now heads a committee of like-minded individuals “Anti-Land Grabbing Action Committee”.

Ramaswamy said in his third report, submitted during his tenure as chairman of the joint legislature committee, his team had identified 41,303 acres of encroached land in and around Bangalore.

Of this, 8,334 acres were encroached upon using fake documents, and the cases had come before the special DC for disposal. However, Ramanjaneya chose to drop the proceedings in 428 cases relating to encroachment of 1,042 acres. A report submitted by the regional commissioner, which probed the action of the special DC, had found that the officer had favoured land sharks by dropping investigation in cases of encroachment under Section 136(3) of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act.

The Lokayukta officers had recently caught Ramanjaneya red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000.

The Anti-Land Grabbing Action Committee also plans to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa urging him order a high-level probe into the racket and also initiate criminal proceedings against the officer.

Freedom fighter H S Doreswamy, who is part of the committee, said the forum would launch a state-wide agitation if action was not taken against Ramanjaneya.

Ramaswamy also urged the government to expedite the process of getting assent to the Karnataka Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Bill, 2007. The Bill had been returned to the State government by the President recently.

It provides for special courts to try land-grabbing cases. Besides, it prohibits people operating individually and in groups from grabbing lands belonging to the State government, local authorities, religious or charitable institutions, either by force or deceit.