The Karnataka Lokayukta has initiated a preliminary inquiry following the discovery of a significant quantity of original government revenue records at a private farmhouse in Kolar district. The unearthing of these documents has raised concerns about the unauthorized removal and potential misuse of official land documents, prompting a thorough investigation into a suspected land scam.
The Chenab Times has learned that the action was prompted by a report submitted by the Kolar Lokayukta Police, detailing alleged irregularities within the Tahsildar offices of Kolar and Malur, as well as the Assistant Directors of Land Records. Acting on this report, the Lokayukta commenced suo motu proceedings, authorizing searches at various government offices and private premises. During these searches, officials confiscated 435 revenue-related documents. Among these were 128 original government records, including grant registers, patta books, khata registers, phodi records, and other crucial land documents.
Investigators suspect that these records were illicitly removed from government offices and subsequently stored at the private farmhouse. The apparent purpose behind this was to facilitate the creation of fraudulent land-related documents. The Lokayukta has stated that the seized documents are currently undergoing scrutiny, with assistance provided by officials from the Revenue Department. District authorities have been tasked with explaining how these original records disappeared from government custody and identifying all individuals responsible for the lapse.
The investigation has preliminarily indicated that fraudulent records may have been prepared for approximately 485 acres of government land. This alleged manipulation has potentially led to a significant financial loss to the state exchequer, estimated to be around ₹768 crore. The Lokayukta has emphasized the need for a comprehensive probe into the matter and has scheduled a preliminary inquiry for August 21, 2026. Senior officials from the Revenue Department are expected to be present during this inquiry.
The probe has further brought to light allegations of a syndicate involving a Senior Survey Supervisor, junior staff, Tahsildars, and other revenue officials. It is believed that this group accessed original land records to create forged documents. Evidence suggests the use of fake seals and fabricated signatures of former Tahsildars from Malur, Kolar, and Srinivaspura to falsely establish grants over government land. In addition to the manipulation of grant documents, allegations also point to the tampering of village maps to align with these forged records, enabling their incorporation into official land registries. Once these fabricated entries were allegedly established, beneficiaries were reportedly encouraged to apply for khata and RTC (Record of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops), leading to the generation of revenue records based on the manipulated data.
The severity of the allegations has led to the Lokayukta directing the Deputy Commissioner, Tahsildars, and ADLR officials of Kolar district to appear before the authority. They are required to provide detailed information regarding the missing original records and assist in identifying the officials accountable for the alleged irregularities. However, reports indicate that the district administration has yet to submit the comprehensive report detailing these missing records and the individuals responsible.
The discovery of original government land records in a private location, following their disappearance from official custody, points to a serious administrative breakdown and potential deep-rooted corruption within the revenue and land record departments. The scale of the alleged fraud, involving hundreds of acres of government land and an estimated loss of ₹768 crore, underscores the urgent need for stringent oversight and accountability in land administration processes across the state.
The Lokayukta’s preliminary inquiry is expected to shed further light on the modus operandi employed in the scam and identify all parties involved, from officials to private individuals who may have colluded in this alleged land grab. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the irregularities and ensure that those found responsible are brought to justice, thereby safeguarding public land assets from future misappropriation.
The Chenab Times News Desk