One more plaint against Urban DC referred to Lokayukta police

The Special Lokayukta Court on Tuesday referred a case against Bangalore Urban Deputy Commissioner M K Aiyappa and others to the Lokayukta police for investigation. The police have been directed to submit a report on November 30.

Judge N K Sudhindra Rao handed over the case to DySP Ashwini under Section 156 (3) of Criminal Procedure Code. This is the fourth case involving Aiyappa that has been referred to Lokayukta police for investigation.

The case, filed by Markandeya, a software engineer, pertains to land acquired in Nagarbhavi village in Vijayanagar for the Vinayaka Housing Board Co-operative Society in 1985. The complainant stated that the possession of the land had been handed over to the Society which completed all formalities including obtaining the work order and khatas from Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

From 1986, sites were registered in favour of the members. In 1996, the BDA also issued khatas and started collecting property tax. Later, the land came under Pattanagere City Municipal Council and was transferred to Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, which issued khatas.

The complaint alleges that Gali Hanumamma filed a case against Malliappa, the original landowner, under the  Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prohibition of Transfer of Certain Lands) Act, before the assistant commissioner (AC) who ordered the restoration of the property. The Society members challenged the order before the then Deputy Commissioner Ramegowda, who allowed the appeal after getting a spot inspection report from the AC.

Gali Hanumamma then sold one acre of land to Mirle Varadaraju for Rs three crore, after obtaining permission from Aiyappa, the Deputy Commissioner.

She later filed an application seeking conversion of two acres of land for residential purpose, including the one acre she had sold.

The complainant, who had purchased the land from the Society, filed objections before Aiyappa. The complainant stated that the DC was adamant that land would be given back to Gali Hanumamma. The complainant further stated that when his counsel approached Aiyappa, he abused him and later held a closed door meeting with Gali Hanumamma and Mirle Varadaraj, whose presence was shown as that of a GPA holder of the disputed land.

Aiyappa is also said to have instructed Hanumamma to get the khatas of the Society members cancelled from the BBMP, so that he could order for the conversion sought by her.

The complaint has been lodged for commission of offences under Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code.

The complaint also names Assistant Commissioner Kantharaju, Tahsildar Suma, Village
Accountant Manjunath, Gali Hanumamma, her daughter Huchamma, Mirle Varadaraju and others.