Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre seeks CID probe into ₹25,000-crore BM Kaval Forest land grab case

Eshwar Khandre urges the Chief Minister to order a CID investigation after a fraud attempt to secure 532 acres of forest and revenue land using fake documents.

Karnataka Forests, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre has requested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to order a CID investigation into an alleged large-scale attempt to grab 532 acres of government land in Bengaluru. The case involves 482 acres of BM Kaval Reserve Forest land, valued at nearly ₹25,000 crore.

The controversy began after M. B. Nemanna Gowda, also known as M. B. Manmatha, secured a Karnataka High Court order directing the transfer of land documents in his name. He had approached the court claiming entitlement to the land under the Inam Abolition Act, and the order was issued three months ago.

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In a letter to the Chief Minister, Khandre stated that Nemanna Gowda had submitted fake and fabricated documents to claim massive forest and revenue land parcels. He highlighted that the Karnataka Forest Department received information about the case only when one day remained to comply with the High Court’s 90-day document transfer directive.

Khandre has accused Additional Government Advocate Yoganna of failing to alert the government or the Forest Department in time. He further noted that the advocate advised against filing an appeal, which he described as “highly suspicious” and possibly indicative of collusion.

The Minister pointed out that Nemanna Gowda has a past record of trying to claim government lands with forged papers. In September 2024, then Chikkamagaluru Deputy Divisional Officer Daljeet Kumar had directed that a criminal case be filed against him for similar attempts.

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Khandre expressed concern that despite issuing instructions to file a complaint at the Chikkamagaluru Police Station, no FIR had been registered even after the complaint reached the Mudigere Circle Inspector on 28 November 2025. He noted that this delay further strengthens suspicion of involvement by certain officials and legal representatives.

The Forest Minister has urged the Chief Minister to either form a special team or hand over the matter to the CID to ensure a thorough inquiry. He stressed the need to identify and act against officials who failed in their duties, including those who delayed filing complaints and those who allegedly assisted the accused.

He also highlighted the need for action against officers who did not respond promptly, including the then Assistant Conservator of Forests who was earlier directed to act on similar cases.

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