Belagavi Land Fraud: Five Arrested in Impersonation Scam, DC Mandates Aadhaar Authentication
In a significant development in a land fraud case in Belagavi, the Udyambag police on Tuesday arrested five of the ten accused involved in an alleged impersonation scheme. The fraud centered around the illegal transfer of two acres of ancestral property belonging to a family in Belagavi taluk to an outsider. According to police reports, eight individuals impersonated the original owners at the sub-registrar office to facilitate this fraudulent transaction.
Complaint Details and Forgery Allegations
The case came to light when Babu Gangaram Yallurkar, one of the eight original owners of the land located in Survey No. 22/3 at Waghawade village, filed a formal complaint in November 2025. Notably, three of the eight original owners had passed away long before the alleged fraud took place, adding complexity to the investigation.
The complaint meticulously outlines the methods employed by the accused. It alleges that they forged Aadhaar cards, fabricated land records, and created a sale deed with forged signatures to transfer the property. This elaborate scheme was executed through the sub-registrar's office, highlighting vulnerabilities in the property registration process.
Registration Details and Police Action
The disputed property registration occurred on March 18, 2023, at the Belagavi South sub-registrar office. At that time, Padmanabha Gudi was serving as the sub-registrar, though his involvement or oversight in the matter remains under scrutiny as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Udyambag inspector DK Patil confirmed the arrests, stating, "Five accused, including a woman, were arrested in the case. The inquiry is under way." This arrest marks a crucial step in unraveling the network behind this sophisticated fraud, with police continuing to pursue the remaining accused.
Administrative Response and Preventive Measures
Following media coverage of the issue, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan took decisive action to prevent similar frauds in the future. He issued an order mandating that all sub-registrars in the district must now authenticate the Aadhaar cards of all parties involved in property registrations. This measure is aimed at curbing impersonation-related fraud, safeguarding both public and government property, maintaining public order, and reducing criminal activity in Belagavi district.
In a related move, district minister Satish Jarkiholi directed the administration just a week ago to form a joint task force. This task force, comprising senior police officers and revenue officials, is tasked with probing the alleged large-scale creation and misuse of duplicate Aadhaar cards in the district. This indicates a broader concern about identity document fraud extending beyond this single case.
Implications and Ongoing Investigations
This case underscores the growing challenges of land fraud in urban and semi-urban areas, where valuable properties are targeted through forged documents and impersonation. The arrests and subsequent administrative orders reflect a concerted effort by local authorities to address systemic loopholes. As the police inquiry progresses, further details are expected to emerge about the full extent of the fraud and the involvement of other individuals or officials.
The mandatory Aadhaar authentication order, in particular, represents a proactive step towards enhancing the security and integrity of property transactions in Karnataka. It aligns with broader national efforts to digitize and secure land records, though its implementation will be closely watched for effectiveness and any potential hurdles.
