Lokayukta Probe Alleges Ex-Doddaballapura AC In Rs 500-Crore Land Scam

A preliminary report by the Lokayukta Police has alleged that the then Assistant Commissioner of Doddaballapura, Durgashree N, manipulated land records relating to 62 acres and 20 guntas across three villages to facilitate the transfer of land to private individuals.

The land holds an estimated market value of around Rs 500 crore, while its value according to the sub-registrar is Rs 103.68 crore, according to the findings in the report.

The inquiry report was submitted to Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa, who initiated a suo motu case into the alleged irregularities. As part of the investigation, Lokayukta Police Inspectors Uma Mahesh and Halappa Y Haladandi conducted searches at the Doddaballapura Assistant Commissioner’s office and the Devanahalli Tahsildar’s office on May 7.

According to the Lokayukta Police report, Durgashree allegedly created fraudulent orders by citing case numbers from the Karnataka High Court, the Karnataka Appellate Tribunal, and the Revenue Appellate Tribunal to alter digitised land records.

The report noted that the case numbers cited in the purported orders had no connection to the survey numbers of the land parcels that were subsequently transferred to private individuals.

Justice Veerappa stated in a press release that Durgashree allegedly used her digital signature to upload the fabricated orders and facilitate the mutation of Khata records. The manipulated records were then used to execute changes in the ownership documentation of the properties.

Justice Veerappa has directed Durgashree and other officials allegedly involved in the case to appear before him on September 22 and submit their objections.