Lok Ayukta cracks whip against land grabbers around Bangalore

Bangalore, Jun 26 (UNI) The Karnataka Lokayukta has ordered inquiry into encroachment of three tank beds by land sharks following an on the spot visit after a complaint received by it.

In a press release here the Lokayukta office said in one encroachment five acres of tank bed in Kempapura in Bangalore Urban District had been encroached by a private builder, in another case in Belandur Tank bed, four acres had been grabbed by another Realtor.

An Inquiry carried out by a Retired Chief Engineer on a direction from Lokayukta Santosh Hegde has revealed that there was collusion and negligence on part of public servants, in particular the officers of Brihut Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and the Forest Department, the release said.

The Lokayukta today held a meeting with top officials of Revenue, Minor Irrigation and Forest Departments following complaints of land grabbing of public lands.

The release said that a land grabber had availed a bank loan after producing forged documents to buy land in a tank bed in Byrasandra.

When the bank officials initiated recovery, the land worth Rs 200 crore, was allegedly sold in a public auction for just Rs seven crore, the statement added.

UNI