The vigilance wing of the Bangalore Development Authority has uncovered an alleged land fraud involving forged documents and misuse of official position, and a case has been registered against four people, including an Assistant Commissioner of the Revenue Department, in connection with an attempt to claim ownership over high value BDA land in Bengaluru.
Land Meant for J.P. Nagar Layout at Centre of Case
The transaction dates back to 2017 but has come to light only now. The accused have been identified as Lakshminarayana C., Maruthikumar, Pradeepa H.R., and L.C. Nagaraj, Assistant Commissioner, Bengaluru Sub Division. They are alleged to have conspired to illegally claim ownership of a prime parcel of land measuring 2 acres 35 guntas in Survey No. 176/1.
The land had already been acquired for the development of the J.P. Nagar 8th Phase layout. The screenshots also note that Mr. Nagaraj had earlier been arrested by the Special Investigation Team probing the IMA scam, later left service, and unsuccessfully contested the 2023 Assembly election from Madhugiri in Tumakuru district on a BJP ticket.
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Forged Will and Manipulated Revenue Records Alleged
The complaint was filed by Hanumantharaya B., a Deputy Superintendent of Police with the BDA, following which the Seshadripuram police booked the accused under sections relating to common intention, criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, impersonation, forgery, and forgery for the purpose of cheating under the Indian Penal Code.
The land had already been acquired by the BDA through preliminary and final notifications, and compensation had been paid to the legal heirs of the original owner after his death. Despite that, the accused are alleged to have created fake documents, including a forged will purportedly dating back to 2008, in an attempt to establish false ownership. Police sources cited in the material said the forged will was then used to manipulate official land records, including entries in the Record of Rights and mutation registers, and that fraudulent court orders were allegedly obtained on the strength of those documents.
Role of Revenue Officials Under Scrutiny
The complaint also points to the involvement of revenue officials and accuses them of negligence and possible collusion for failing to verify documents before passing orders. Using the allegedly fabricated records, the accused are said to have got their names entered in revenue documents and attempted to assert rights over land that had already been acquired by the BDA.
Authorities suspect that the four acted with common intention to cheat the government and unlawfully secure control over valuable BDA land. The case now places both the alleged document fraud and the conduct of revenue officials under investigation.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
