To get land, Mayor said he was a labourer

Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy and his wife K Prabha are incurring the wrath of law for getting eight acres of government land in the Somanahalli village of Uttarahalli Hobli in the City by falsely claiming that they are landless farm labourers.

The Bagarhukum land, which belongs to Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, is a “gomala” (grazing land) where a bus terminal was to be located. The sub-divisional magistrate of the Bangalore South sub-division has documented the land as “government property” and cancelled the allotment to the Murthys. Deccan Herald is in possession of the copy of the order number RUC/CR/4/12/13 dated June 8, 2012.

Bagarhukum land is given only to landless farm labourers. The allotment of land on a “Saguvali Cheeti” (cultivation slip) was also in clear violation of a government rule stipulating that any “Bagarhukum” land within18 km of the BBMP boundary should not be allotted to anyone for cultivation.

Infringement of this rule warrants criminal prosecution against the accused under Section 192 (A) of the Karnataka Land Revenue Amendment Rules, 1991.

The allotment was cancelled by the SDM after residents of Somanahalli complained to the SDM of Bangalore South Sub-Division. An inquiry report (Report Number RUC/CR/02/12-13) dated June 5, this year, found that Murthy and Prabha gave false declarations to get the Bagarhukum land.

Murthy had claimed he was a landless farm labourer. K Prabha did not reveal that she was married to Murthy, stating merely that she is “daughter of Kenchappa”. As per rule, Bagarhukum land cannot be allotted to more than one member of a family and its violation is an offence, said sources.

When contacted, Bangalore Urban Deputy Commissioner M K Ayyappa said the government had repossessed the land. He said the SDM of Bangalore South Taluk was inquiring into the matter and would take action as per rules.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, V Balasubramanian, former Chairperson of the Karnataka Government Land Protection Task Force, said the allotment of land was illegal and it warranted criminal proceedings.

Murthy was not available for his comment