Investigations have revealed that some farmers from Nelamangala were issued fake acquisition notices by the board in order to purchase their land
Investigations have revealed that some farmers from Nelamangala were issued fake acquisition notices by the board in order to purchase their land
Land scams continue to haunt the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) unabated. This is despite the Lokayukta recently busting a Rs 100 crore-plus racket involving corporator Katta Jagadish, accused of selling the government land by forging documents.
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| Land-ed in trouble: Recently corporator Katta Jagadish was arrested for allegedly selling government land worth over 100 crore by forging documents. File pic |
The latest scam came to light when Venksteshapapa and Govindaiah, farmers from Pemmanahalli, approached KIADB to seek explanation for notices, which were issued on the official letterhead.
Officials later found that the notices were forged. Chief Executive Officer T Sham Bhat has filed a complaint with the Ulsoor Gate police, stating that some farmers were issued fake acquisition notices in an attempt to purchase their land.
"The officers in-charge of the acquisition never issue any notices to the landowners directly," said Bhat. He added that there was a bigger racket involving insiders, middlemen and land developers.
Plan in discussion
A senior officer at KIADB said, "KIADB is planning to acquire land at Pemmanahallui to set up its Hazardous Waste Management project.u00a0 However, the project is still in a discussion stage, and nothing has been finalised. Some insiders might have leaked the information to their associates, who planned to grab the land though these means,"
"This scam has also hinted that there are more people involved in the acquisition and compensation," said an investigating officer.
