Mysuru, Oct. 26 – Mandya Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr. Kumara has accorded sanction to prosecute two Revenue Department officials — a former Revenue Inspector and a former Village Accountant — for illegally converting canal land (Government property) for residential purposes in Belagola village of Srirangapatna taluk.

The DC, who is the competent authority, issued the sanction under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amendment Act, 2018), Column 9(1)(C) against former Belagola Revenue Inspector Jayaramamurthy and former Village Accountant Puttaswamy.

However, Jayaramamurthy has been exempted from prosecution as he is suffering from a severe neurological condition, is bedridden and unable to communicate coherently, the Deputy Commissioner’s order stated.

Canal in residential conversion

The case pertains to the illegal inclusion of 14 guntas of Government-owned canal (nala) land in a residential conversion proposal.

On Jan. 10, 2024, Star of Mysore had reported the issue under the headline “Three Officers booked for abetting encroachment of canal land,” describing it as a clear case of “the fence eating the crop,” where officers colluded to help a private landowner develop a residential layout on canal-acquired land.

The case surfaced following a complaint by Advocate S. Mahesh, a resident of Jayalakshmipuram, Mysuru, to the Lokayukta Police, alleging that out of 2.13 acres in Survey No. 44 at Belagola, 14 guntas were already acquired for canal construction. Despite this, the entire land — including the canal portion — was approved for conversion, blatantly violating rules.

Investigation

Subsequent investigation revealed that out of the 2.13-acre property, 14 guntas were owned by Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited (CNNL).

Yet, officials allegedly helped in converting the land for residential purposes by submitting false documents and misleading the Government. The property was later transferred to Veerabhadraiah of Hosa Anandur village in Srirangapatna taluk.

Following this, Belagola Revenue Inspector C. Basavaraju filed a complaint at KRS Police Station, seeking legal action under Sections 19A and 95 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964.

During the inquiry, Puttaswamy admitted to having conducted a spot inspection in the presence of the applicant and signing the mahazar (inspection report). However, his failure to record that 14 guntas of the land belonged to CNNL was deemed a serious dereliction of duty.

Misrepresentation in documents

Further records show that the 14 guntas were officially acquired for the Varuna Canal as per a notification dated 28.8.1999, with a compensation of Rs. 29,199 paid to landowner Venkatalakshmamma.

Despite this, the land continued to be misrepresented in revenue documents and was later sold by Basavaraju — who held ownership in 2013 — to Veerabhadraiah on 10.1.2013, including the encroached portion.

A site inspection later confirmed the encroachment, and based on findings, a recommendation for prosecution was made.

The DC’s order concluded that Jayaramamurthy and Puttaswamy had failed in their official responsibilities and had facilitated the illegal conversion of the entire 2.13-acre land, including the Government-owned portion, constituting a clear act of misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act.