New Delhi: Police have arrested 11 people, including six revenue officials, in connection with an alleged ₹100 crore land fraud involving six acres of land owned by Sri Adichunchanagiri Education Trust in Bengaluru. Investigators allege that the accused conspired to grab the property by creating forged genealogy records, fake death certificates, fabricated land grant certificates and other fraudulent revenue documents.
Those arrested include Francis, Arogyaswamy, Srinivas M., Narendra Kumar, Josephine and Deepak N., along with two deputy tahsildars from Begur and Kengeri, two revenue inspectors and two village accountants. Police are continuing their search for the alleged mastermind, Naresh Gowda, and three other revenue officials who are currently absconding.
According to investigators, Sri Adichunchanagiri Education Trust owns around 45 acres of land in Survey No. 43 at Kambipura village in Kengeri Hobli. Police allege that the accused orchestrated a scheme by preparing forged genealogy records, fake death certificates and fabricated land grant documents. These records were allegedly used to establish Francis as the legal heir of Arogyaswamy and Josephine.
The investigation further revealed that the accused claimed six acres of the land had been allotted under a military quota in 1960. Using the allegedly forged documents, they are accused of securing mutation of the land records in Francis’s name and asserting ownership over the six-acre parcel belonging to the trust. Police also allege that the accused trespassed onto the property and attempted to establish possession.
The alleged fraud came to light after the Sri Adichunchanagiri Education Trust discovered that the ownership records of part of its land had been transferred to another person’s name. The trust subsequently filed a complaint with the police on June 10, prompting an investigation that uncovered the alleged manipulation of revenue records and forged documentation.
During the preliminary investigation, police reportedly recovered documents indicating that official land records had been tampered with to facilitate the illegal transfer of ownership. Investigators are also examining whether additional individuals were involved in the conspiracy and whether similar methods were used to target other high-value properties.
Police are conducting raids to trace the absconding accused while forensic examination of the seized documents, revenue records and digital evidence is underway. Officials said that if the investigation establishes the involvement of any other government employee or private individual, appropriate legal action will be initiated against them.
Land administration experts say cases involving forged ownership documents highlight the need for regular digitisation of land records, multi-layer verification systems and periodic digital audits. They believe timely verification of revenue records and prompt action on complaints are essential to preventing large-scale land frauds involving high-value properties.
