Karnataka High Court Dismisses Petition to Quash Criminal Case Against Ex-JD(S) MLA in ₹750 Crore Land Regularisation Scandal

Keywords:
Karnataka High Court, Lingesh KS, Bagair Hukum Saguvali Samiti, government land regularisation, illegal land grants, ₹750 crore land scam, Belur MLA, land irregularities, criminal case, Hassan district

In a significant legal development, the Karnataka High Court has declined to quash a criminal case against former Janata Dal (Secular) MLA Lingesh KS and others accused of illegally regularising over 2,750 acres of government land valued at ₹750 crore. The land in question was irregularly granted to beneficiaries in Hassan district between 2016 and 2022 by the Bagair Hukum Saguvali Samiti, a government committee responsible for overseeing the regulation of unauthorised cultivation on government land.

The order, passed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna on September 13, 2024, rejected the petition filed by Lingesh and eight other members of the Bagair Hukum Saguvali Samiti, seeking to dismiss the First Information Report (FIR) lodged against them. The FIR followed an investigation into allegations of irregular land grants and bogus beneficiaries under the former MLA’s tenure.

Background of the Case

Lingesh, the former MLA from Belur constituency, is accused of granting government land to 1,430 fraudulent beneficiaries during his time on the committee. The criminal case was initiated after an RTI activist filed a complaint highlighting gross violations in the land regularisation process. Based on the activist’s allegations, a special court in Bengaluru ordered the registration of an FIR against Lingesh and several officials involved in the land distribution process.

High Court Observations

During its review, the Karnataka High Court took into account a 2022 report submitted by the Deputy Commissioner of Hassan district. The report uncovered severe irregularities in the land regularisation process, including missing original applications and handwritten ledger extracts being used as the basis for approvals. Notably, 99% of the files lacked original documentation, raising serious concerns about the transparency and legality of the committee’s actions.

Justice Nagaprasanna noted that the overwhelming evidence of missing or forged documents indicated a deliberate attempt to bypass legal procedures. The Bagair Hukum Committee had clearly violated the law by approving land grants to unqualified beneficiaries without proper documentation.

Legal Ramifications

The High Court’s refusal to quash the FIR paves the way for a full investigation into the activities of the Bagair Hukum Saguvali Samiti and the role of Lingesh in the alleged scam. The court’s ruling underscores the judiciary’s commitment to scrutinising public officials’ actions, especially when government property is involved.

The case highlights the misuse of Bagair Hukum provisions, which are meant to benefit landless cultivators but, in this instance, were allegedly exploited for personal and political gain. If found guilty, Lingesh and the other accused face serious charges under Indian penal laws, including fraud and corruption.

Conclusion

This case serves as a reminder of the legal and ethical responsibilities of public officials overseeing land grants and government property. The Karnataka High Court’s decision ensures that the case will proceed, with potential consequences for those involved in the ₹750 crore land scam. For more updates on this development and other political and legal affairs, visit Kanishk Social Media. If you found this article informative, please share it with others interested in current legal issues in India.