Unveiling a Multi-Crore Land Scam: Ex-Councillor Alleges Brazen Fraud in Bengaluru

There's a serious cloud hanging over Bengaluru's land administration, with a former councillor stepping forward to shine a harsh light on what he describes as a colossal land fraud, allegedly worth a staggering Rs 500 crore. It’s a story that involves a prime 10-acre plot, a deceased individual, and, quite frankly, a perplexing series of official actions that simply defy belief. C K Ramamurthy, who once represented the Muneshwara Nagar ward, isn’t just making accusations; he's detailing an intricate scheme he believes implicates high-ranking officials right alongside private beneficiaries.

The land in question, situated in Survey No. 11/1 of K. Narayanapura, Yelahanka, seems to be at the heart of this alleged scam. Ramamurthy’s investigation points to a shocking start: a khata — that crucial legal document establishing ownership — was supposedly created for a certain Muniyappa back in 2005-06. The problem? Muniyappa had, in fact, passed away way back in 1999. You see, creating a legal document for someone who is already deceased is, by any standard, a monumental red flag, a glaring imperfection that speaks volumes about the alleged intent.

But the alleged fraud didn’t stop there. Once this initial, questionable khata was established, the land was then transferred to individuals identified as Muniyappa's "legal heirs": Nagaraju, Nanjappa, Puttamma, and Kariyamma. Then, in 2008, the plot made its final leap, at least in this chapter of the saga, into the hands of B R Venkatesh. The former councillor argues that this entire chain of transactions, built upon a foundational lie, represents a clear and brazen attempt to illegally appropriate valuable public or private land.

What's truly astonishing, though, is the alleged method used to facilitate this transfer. Ramamurthy claims the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) relied on a court order, specifically OS No. 1109/2007. Here’s the catch: that particular court order was apparently issued for a completely different piece of land — Survey No. 36/2 in Kodigehalli, not the K. Narayanapura plot. It's like using a driving license for a motorcycle to drive a truck; the documents simply don't match, yet, it seems, they were used anyway. This, to Ramamurthy, is definitive proof of an orchestrated scam.

One has to wonder how such an apparent discrepancy could go unnoticed, or rather, be overlooked. The ex-councillor stresses that the BBMP officials involved seemingly ignored not only common sense but also explicit directives from both the High Court and the Apex Court. These higher courts have, time and again, clarified that property registrations and khata transfers based on court orders must strictly pertain to the specific survey numbers mentioned in those orders. To deviate from this, frankly, suggests either gross negligence or something far more sinister at play.

Ramamurthy isn’t letting this slide, and rightly so. He has formally filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), demanding nothing less than a high-level inquiry, ideally by agencies like the CID or Lokayukta. He's calling for the immediate suspension of all officials found complicit in this elaborate scheme and, crucially, the swift cancellation of the fraudulent khata. When land worth over Rs 500 crore is allegedly siphoned off through such questionable means, the integrity of the entire system comes into question.

This isn't just about a plot of land; it's about trust. It's about ensuring that proper procedures are followed and that the law is upheld, especially when dealing with such valuable assets. Ramamurthy’s efforts highlight the urgent need for transparency and accountability within urban planning and administration, hoping to see justice served and to prevent similar audacious frauds from ever happening again.