Bengaluru’s ₹12,000-crore revenue land scam exposed: 504 acres lost, top officials named

A massive land grab scandal involving 504 acres of government property, influential individuals, and multiple Revenue Department officials has triggered major complaints before Lokayukta, ED and senior authorities.

A major land scam within the Bengaluru South Revenue Department has come to light following a comprehensive complaint filed by BJP Leader NR Ramesh, exposing a large-scale misuse of government property valued at nearly ₹12,000 crore. The scandal revolves around the alleged illegal transfer of 504 acres of public land across multiple villages in Tavarekere Hobli, raising serious questions about the safeguarding of state-owned assets.

The controversy spans villages including Yalachaguppe (Survey No. 4 & 20/2), Devamachonahalli (Survey No. 68), Ganakallu (Survey No. 19) and Kurubarhalli (Survey No. 116. These areas form part of the 1,600 acres of government land in the Hobli, of which nearly 500 acres are alleged to have been handed over to land grabbers with internal support from officials.

Also Read:517 acres of Bengaluru reserved forest at risk after HC order entering private owner’s name in records

According to the complaint, the scam is not limited to low-level malpractice but involves an extensive network of officials and influential figures. Names linked in the allegations include former Special Deputy Commissioner Rangappa, KAS officer Arati Anand, Assistant Commissioners Rajnikanth and Raghunandan, former AC Apoorva, former Bengaluru South Tahsildar Srinivas and an RI. Allegations also extend to private individuals including Radha Balakrishna, wife of Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna, and Mala BS, wife of former BBMP Deputy Mayor BS Puttaraju. Two IAS and five KAS officers have been named in the complaint.

The scam is said to be one of the largest in the department’s recent history, with repeated complaints surfacing about corruption and irregularities. The 504 acres in dispute were also highlighted in the 2006 A.T. Ramaswamy Committee Report, which had flagged government land encroachments across Bengaluru.

With 8,879 pages of documents submitted, complaints have been filed before the Lokayukta, Enforcement Directorate, the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, the Chief Commissioner of the Bengaluru Revenue Authority, and the District Commissioner. The demand includes the immediate recovery of all illegally occupied government property and a full-scale investigation into the role of officials and associates.

The allegations point to systematic collusion between land mafia and departmental staff, raising concerns about the vulnerability of public land even under official custody. The case is now expected to trigger a high-level probe that may determine legal consequences for several officers and politically connected individuals.

If investigated thoroughly, the scam may become one of Karnataka’s most significant land corruption cases in recent years.

Also Read:Wet weekend likely in Bengaluru; Dry spell from Dec 7