While Karnataka Chief Secretary Arvind Jadhav denied being involved in any illegal land deals in Anekal, the Deccan Herald reported that revenue authorities in Bengaluru Urban district reportedly created a new survey number illegally, without following the proper procedures for it.
According to the report, the revenue authorities created an illegal survey number – 29/1 – at Ramanayakanahalli of Sarjapur hobli in Anekal taluk. The report quoted sources at the revenue department, who said that the tahsildar deleted the old survey number (29), and brought together all Record or Rights Tenancy and Crops (RTCs) under it to create a new survey number.
However, the Bhoomi software, the digital database of government land records, showed an error in the process, as it showed over 76.36 acres of land on survey number 29 were government land.
Accusations against Jadhav arose after RTI activist S Bhaskaran recently filed a complaint of misuse of office before the state Anti-Corruption Bureau against Jadhav and some IAS and KAS officers. These officials were alleged to be involved in land grabbing and in forging documents.
Acting on the activist’s complaint, the ACB began an investigation into the scam on Wednesday. The officials also visited the office of the Assistant Commissioner, Anekal sub-division, and Bengaluru Urban DC V Shankar, Bengaluru Urban, who have also been named in the activist’s complaint.
CM Siddaramaiah sought a report on the land documents after the case was filed.
According to reports, pressure was allegedly applied on revenue officials to forge ownership documents for many small plots bought by Jadhav’s mother, Tarabai Marutirao Jadhav.
Karnataka Chief Secretary Arvind Jadhav refuted allegations of illegal land deal issue. Defending himself, Jadhav said his mother had bought the land when he was posted in Delhi and that there was nothing illegal in the purchase.
In a press note issued by him on Wednesday, he said that the land under question was not government land when his mother, Tarabai, purchased it in 2002.
"All other matters if any will be brought to light during enquiry and law shall take its course through due process if required... The Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban, and the Revenue Department are seized of the matter as per the instructions of the Hon Chief Minister (sic)," he stated.