Karnataka High Court Mandates Police Investigation in Complex Bengaluru Land Fraud Case
The Karnataka High Court has taken a firm stance in a high-stakes real estate dispute, refusing to halt a criminal probe into allegations of forgery and impersonation surrounding a 12-acre prime property in Bengaluru. The case involves four women, all named Radha, who claim to be the widowed owner of the land, with the court emphasizing that the matter "cries out for investigation."
Court Rejects Quashing of FIR, Highlights Deeper Criminal Elements
In a significant ruling, the High Court dismissed a plea to quash an FIR registered by Bengaluru police on October 22, 2025. The accused, Venkata Rama Naidu Kola, argued the dispute was purely civil, but Justice M Nagaprasanna ruled on January 20 that the case warrants criminal scrutiny. The court stated, "To interdict such investigation at the threshold would be to prematurely close the doors of criminal justice and to permit serious allegations of fraud to go unanswered."
The bench noted that the dispute extends beyond rival land claims, delving into "the realm of deceit, impersonation, forgery and calculated fraud." It highlighted how the absence of the true owner was exploited, with family identities fabricated and public offices allegedly misled through forged documents and signatures.
Property Valued at Over Rs 100 Crore at Center of Dispute
The contested property, located in Bandapura village on Bengaluru's eastern fringe, is an open land unofficially valued at over Rs 100 crore. The original owner, S Krishnan, died in 1986, leaving his wife Radha as the inheritor. However, four individuals have since emerged, each claiming to be the legitimate Radha, leading to a tangled web of ownership claims.
Key allegations include:
- Forgery of a gift deed in the name of a Radha who died before the deed's date.
- A gift deed by another Radha R to her children, who entered into a joint development agreement with real estate firm Sattva Group.
- A third woman named Radha with a daughter, alongside the complainant who claims to be childless and the sole wife of Krishnan.
Involvement of Real Estate Executive and Ongoing Investigations
Among the accused is Ashwin Sancheti, a senior executive at Sattva Group, who signed a joint development agreement worth over Rs 20 crore with the children of one of the women claiming to be Radha. Sancheti was previously arrested and released on bail. The FIR details multiple impersonation chains and fraudulent sale deeds registered for the property.
During proceedings on February 2, 2026, a special public prosecutor informed the court that investigations are ongoing, with petitioners, complainants, and others under scrutiny. The prosecutor assured transparency in examining documents, and the court dissolved an earlier stay on investigations against Naidu.
Complainant's Allegations and Sattva Group's Response
The police complaint was filed by a 65-year-old woman, identified as Radha, who asserts she is the absolute owner of the land. She claims to possess the original sale deed from 1978 and states that after her husband's death, her name was entered in revenue records. In her complaint, she alleges, "These three groups of accused persons, with the intention of making illegal profits, have fabricated documents and registered claims on the property as their own. They have not only cheated me but also the courts."
In response, Sattva Group has denied any involvement in illegal activities. In a November 2025 statement, the company clarified that its engagement is strictly limited to the terms of a joint development agreement signed with Smt. R. Radha and her four children, whom they consider legal heirs of Krishnan.
The Karnataka High Court's ruling underscores the gravity of the allegations, emphasizing that civil suits should not impede the investigation of cognizable offences. As the probe continues, this case highlights the complexities and potential for fraud in high-value real estate transactions in urban India.
