Mandya: In an anti-corruption drive, 11 staff of the revenue department working in Nagamangala taluk were booked following a Lokayukta raid that unearthed irregularities in the allotment of govt land under the Bagair Hukum scheme.The scam, involving hundreds of acres of land, was estimated to have caused financial losses running into crores of rupees to the state exchequer. An FIR was registered at the Nagamangala Town police station, accusing the staff of tampering with official records, forging documents, and abusing their official positions to facilitate illegal land allotments.The case came to light following public complaints alleging misuse of power and illegal allotment of govt land measuring over 320 acres in villages including HN Kavalu, Chikkajataka, Doddajataka, and Karadahalli. The accused allegedly forged cultivation certificates, land distribution registers, and official memorandums, besides manipulating original revenue office files to enable fraudulent approvals.Taking serious note of the allegations, Upalokayukta B Veerappa registered a suo motu case on Jan 12. Based on this, a Lokayukta police team led by superintendent of police (Mandya) Suresh Babu conducted extensive raids at the Nagamangala taluk office, residences of the accused officials, govt quarters, photocopying centres, and hotels.Several incriminating documents were seized during the operation. Following the raid, the Mandya district Lokayukta police inspector lodged a formal complaint, after which the Nagamangala Town police registered an FIR against all the accused.SP Suresh Babu said the scam surfaced during a public grievances meeting. “Further investigation revealed instances of criminal misconduct and abuse of official position. More than 320 acres of govt land were manipulated, causing losses of crores of rupees. Records dating back to 1978-79 were tampered with, and documents were forged,” he said.
