Mysore/Mysuru: The Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Special Court, Bengaluru, has sentenced a man to one year simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000 after he was found guilty of encroaching 1.24 acre of Government land in Survey No. 189 at Mugur village in T. Narasipur taluk.

The man, who was sentenced, is Mahadevappa of Kurubur village.

Based on a complaint by residents of Mugur village, that two persons Mahadevappa (Accused No. 1) and Kullappa (Accused No. 2) of Kurubur village, owners of lands in Survey No. 189 had encroached 1.24 acre of the 3.16 acres land which was cleared by the Revenue officials. But the two again encroached the same land, following which the villagers lodged a complaint to T. Narasipur Tahsildar who in turn lodged a complaint with T. Narasipur Police.

T. Narasipur Police, who registered a case, completed their investigation and filed charge-sheet against the accused under Karnataka Land Revenue Act 1964 Column 192(A) and IPC Column 447 in the Court of Senior Civil Judge, T. Narasipur and JFMC Court. Later the JMFC Court which holds partial inquiry against the accused transferred the case to Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Special Court.

The Special Court examined all witnesses. Since accused no. 2 Kullappa is now deceased, case against him was abated. The Court then sentenced Accused No. 1 Mahadevappa to one year simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000, failing which he (Accused 1) has to undergo an addition three months simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 500. If the convict fails to pay this fine too, he has to undergo an additional seven days imprisonment. 

Judicial member of the Karnataka Land Grabbing Prohibition Special Court Patila Nagalinganagouda and Revenue member K.H. Ashwath Narayanagowda sentenced the accused on July 30, 2024.

The Court had also directed the T. Narasipur Tahsildar to clear the encroachment and take over the land to Government custody and report the same to the Special Court within 60 days.