CID Probe Sought
Belgavi
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging a CID investigation into an alleged plot to illegally acquire 532 acres of forest and government land using forged documents. He stated that those backing the conspiracy must be exposed and punished.
According to the minister, a man named M.B. Nemanna Gowda, also known as M.B. Manmath, filed a writ petition in the High Court claiming rights over 482 acres of reserved forest land at BM Kaval near Kengeri, Bengaluru, along with additional land totalling 532 acres. Using fabricated documents, he reportedly secured a court order directing that the land records be transferred to his name within three months under provisions of the Inam Abolition Act and an earlier order by a special deputy commissioner in Hassan.
Khandre noted that despite having 90 days to act, the government’s additional advocate, Yoganna, failed to inform the government or the Forest Department about the case. Instead, he allegedly stated that filing an appeal was unnecessary, indirectly favouring the petitioner—an action the minister described as suspicious.
The land in question is estimated to be worth nearly ₹25,000 crore. Khandre said officials learned of the matter only at the last moment, after which he convened a meeting and instructed them to file an appeal immediately. He emphasized that Manmath has previously attempted to claim government property using fake documents, and a 2024 order by the then Chikkamagaluru Sub-Divisional Officer had even recommended criminal proceedings against him.
Though a complaint was filed at Chikkamagaluru police station on November 28, no FIR has been registered yet—another point raising concern. Khandre urged the Chief Minister to form an SIT or hand the case to CID for a comprehensive probe and to take strict action against any officials who supported the land grab attempt, directly or indirectly.
