Kolar: A two-decade-old dispute surrounding former Karnataka state assembly speaker Ramesh Kumar’s forest land has finally come to a head with the completion of a joint survey work. The High Court ordered a joint survey by Revenue and Forest Department officials to be completed by January 15. As per the order, the survey was conducted on January 16, led by Kolar Deputy Commissioner (DC) MR Ravi, Deputy Conservator of forests(DCF) Sarina Sikkaligar and Deputy Director of Land Records (DDLR) M Sanjay. However, the exercise has exposed contradictions and differing opinions between the two departments, casting a shadow over Ramesh Kumar’s alleged land grabbing.
According to DCF Sarina, the Forest Department has unequivocally confirmed encroachment of its land in Survey Nos. 1 and 2. The officials marked the boundary and put up a red flag to indicate the extent of the encroachment, including the chicken farm area and parts of Ramesh Kumar’s garden. The Land Survey Department officials prepared a map detailing the extent of encroachment. However, DCF Sarina told that she would not sign the joint survey report, if the map provided by DDLR regarding the extent of forest land encroachment.
In a shocking turn of events, the Revenue Department officials claim that there is no need for a settlement map, relying only on the Forest Department’s mention in the land title deed. They have expressed skepticism over the Forest Department’s reliance on the Guntar survey chain and its survey methodology. Deputy Commissioner M.R. Ravi stated that the Revenue Department has only submitted documents as per the Forest Settlement Map and the 1937 notification, while the Forest Department’s survey was conducted under the 1944 notification, which includes a note on how to conduct the survey.
The Revenue Department’s argument is that the Forest Department’s claims are baseless, especially considering the Forest Department’s nationwide survey using the Guntar chain in relation to Ramesh Kumar’s chain dispute. This has sparked a heated debate between the two departments, leaving the question of whether there has been land grabbing or not pending until the final report is ready.
The two-day joint survey work, conducted despite challenging terrain and weather conditions, has raised more questions than answers. The outcome of the survey, which has been completed without any immediate consensus, is now pending in the hands of the government, which will submit the report to the High Court. As the controversy surrounding Ramesh Kumar’s land grabbing continues to unfold, the spotlight remains firmly on the former Speaker’s alleged involvement in the scandal.
The case has far-reaching implications, not only for Ramesh Kumar but also for the state government, which has been accused of turning a blind eye to land grabbing cases. The High Court’s order has shed light on the long-standing dispute, and the final report will reveal whether Ramesh Kumar’s claims of innocence are true.
The people of Kolar and the state at large are eagerly awaiting the outcome, which promises to be a defining moment in the struggle against land grabbing and corruption in the region.
HC rebuked state govts delay in survey
Earlier in a scathing rebuke, the High Court has criticized the state government for its apparent attempts to shield former Speaker Ramesh Kumar from scrutiny regarding serious allegations of forest land encroachment. The court’s strong disapproval comes in the wake of ongoing disputes and denials of justice in what has become a two-decade-long saga over illegal land occupation.
Ramesh Kumar, an influential member of the Congress party and a close ally of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, stands accused of encroaching upon 61.39 acres of highly protected forest land in Survey Nos. 1 and 2, located in Hosahudya village within the Jinakalakunte forest area of Srinivasapura taluk, Kolar district. These allegations, if proven, could have severe ramifications not only for Kumar but also for the state government, which has repeatedly delayed addressing this burgeoning scandal.
The High Court previously mandated that the Forest and Revenue Departments conduct a thorough joint survey to ascertain the extent of encroachment and take corrective measures. However, the Congress-led state government has postponed this essential survey three times under various pretexts, leading to growing public frustration and mistrust in the administration’s commitment to environmental protection and legal accountability. Following these delays, the High Court has now set a firm deadline for the completion of the survey by January 15, with a report to be submitted by January 30.
In a stern warning, the High Court stated that Ramesh Kumar will not be afforded any opportunity to appeal should the joint survey confirm the alleged encroachments. The court has also dismissed all prior orders issued by the Regional Commissioner of the Revenue Department, indicating a profound dissatisfaction with how the government has handled this matter.
Amid mounting scrutiny, the state government’s actions seem increasingly suspect. A recent promotion and transfer of DCF Edukundalu from Kolar to Hassan has raised eyebrows, with critics suggesting this is an attempt to sideline officials who might pursue this case without political interference. The immediate concern is whether the alleged encroachment—spanning 61 acres of protected land near Hosahudya village—will ultimately prove valid and lead to appropriate action against Ramesh Kumar.
Ramesh Kumar is named one of seven encroachers identified in a larger parcel of 122 acres within Hosahudya Survey Nos. 1 and 2. Historical records indicate that a survey was previously conducted during the tenure of the late DK Ravi as deputy commissioner, but confusion surrounding land titles prompted the central government to demand a re-evaluation. Ramesh Kumar was formally notified to be present at the upcoming site survey, a clear indication of the court’s intent to bring this protracted matter to a resolution.
Recent correspondence from state forest chief Conservator Shivashankar Senguttivel emphasises the urgency of the situation, asking local forest deputy conservators to report back to the central government with updates regarding the steps taken to address these grave allegations. DCF Edukundalu has indicated that no prior action was initiated due to the unclear scope surrounding the claim of encroachment over 122 acres in the Jinagalakunte reserve forest zone. He reiterated that necessary measures would be enforced should the survey confirm encroachments.
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