In a significant crackdown on land fraud, Karnataka police have arrested a 59-year-old man for allegedly attempting to illegally claim over a thousand acres of valuable government and forest land using forged documents.
The Arrest and Core Allegations
MB Manmath Gowda, also known as Nemanna Gowda from Marebyle in Mudigere taluk, was taken into custody by Mudigere police. He stands accused of a massive forgery operation aimed at seizing control of prime land parcels in two districts.
The fraud revolves around two major claims. First, Gowda allegedly tried to claim 512 acres of inam lands located in Chikkamagaluru district. Second, he attempted to gain title to another 532 acres of forest and government land in the Kengeri BM Kaval area of Bengaluru. Combined, the total land he sought to acquire through fraudulent means amounts to a staggering 1,044 acres.
How the Fraud Unraveled
The scheme began to collapse in September 2024. The then assistant commissioner, reviewing Gowda's application to claim the lands, found the submitted documents to be suspicious. The official directed the concerned authorities to file a case, stating the papers appeared forged and fake, according to Mudigere Tahsildar S Ashwini.
Acting on these directions, the tahsildar filed a formal police complaint with the Mudigere police station, which led to the investigation and eventual arrest. Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre confirmed that Gowda had even managed to obtain a court order for the 532-acre plot in Kengeri using the fake documents before being caught.
A separate complaint was also filed by the assistant conservator of forests with Mudigere police on November 28, regarding the attempt to claim 512 acres and 26 guntas of government land, which included forest areas.
Probe Widens: Officials Under Scanner
The police investigation has now expanded beyond the primary accused. Authorities are working to uncover others involved in what appears to be a well-organized conspiracy to encroach upon high-value government property.
Initial findings suggest the possible involvement of some government officials and lawyers, who are suspected of providing direct and indirect assistance to the land grab attempts. The estimated value of the targeted land runs into thousands of crores of rupees.
In light of the potential scale and complexity of the fraud, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He has formally requested a deeper investigation into the matter, possibly to be conducted by the CID or a specially formed Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The case highlights ongoing challenges in protecting public land from sophisticated forgery and encroachment attempts, prompting calls for stricter verification processes within revenue and forest departments.
