Landowner slips out of sub-registrar office after collecting Rs 99 crore in Karnataka

Registration of an enormously valuable property in the city took a dramatic turn when the landowner allegedly walked out of the sub-registrar’s office moments after collecting Rs 99 crore in demand drafts and RTGS transfers, leaving the buyer stranded and the sale deed unsigned. However, after the buyers lodged a complaint with the police, the buyer promptly completed the registration process the next day. 

According to FIR, the incident occurred on Thursday at the Banashankari Sub-Registrar’s office, where a city-based real estate firm had gathered to complete the registration of 3 acres and 36 guntas of land in Dommasandra village, Sarjapur hobli in Anekal.

A senior police officer said that, based on a complaint filed by Gopal Krishna J, CEO of Shrivision Upscale Space Private Ltd, Sadashivanagar police have registered a case and the firm, located on Chowdaiah Road had earlier paid Rs 5 crore in advance to the landowner, Ghanta Narahari, through RTGS in January 2025.

On the day of registration, the company arranged the remaining consideration amount — totalling Rs 99 crore — through multiple demand drafts and bank transfers in the names of parties specified by the landowner. The transaction was to be formalised through execution of conveyance and sale deeds. However, just before the documents were to be signed, Narahari reportedly stepped out of the Sub-Registrar’s office and did not return. Attempts to contact him were to no avail, the complaint stated.

Speaking to DH, the complainant Gopal Krishna J said, "Soon after a police case was filed, Ghanta Narahari returned and completed the registration on Friday and we took possession of the land immediately.  We will soon share a detailed statement with the press."