City land sharks stung in the act

City land sharks stung in the act
Deccan Herald

Yet another police-politician nexus came to light while the land mafia were cutting deals to sell around 593 acres of the Turahalli reserve forest land, 5 kms from Bangalore, at an estimated value of Rs 800 crore...

Yet another police-politician nexus came to light while the land mafia were cutting deals to sell around 593 acres of the Turahalli reserve forest land, 5 kms from Bangalore, at an estimated value of Rs 800 crore. A private English channel in one of their sting operations on Tuesday showed footage of three land developers operating from the Unity building boasting of their connections with the police and politicians. They also showed fabricated land documents of the Turahalli forest land being gifted to their forefathers decades ago by the Dewan of Mysore. However a government notification dated August 24, 1934, from the chief secretary’s office clearly declares that Turahalli is a reserve forest. Deputy Conservator, Forests, B M Parameswara says: “It is 100 per cent reserve forest owned by the Karnataka forest department for which we have all records.”

“Certainly a complaint is there. We have as a precautionary measure, referred it to the police department.” The channel showed Transport Commissioner M C Narayan Gowda and former joint commissioner (crime) facing the camera, wearing a green check shirt. During the course of discussion, he said: “some NRI is close to the CM and it can be done. Sanctions can be sought from CM.”

Mr Narayan Gowda denied all charges. He said: “the NRI topic came up while i was referring to one Amaranath Gowda who lives in the US. I don’t have any dealings with any land developer, especially in this regard. Since I am close to the CM’s family, I knew there could be trouble. So I have kept myself at a distance soon after Kumaraswamy became the CM.”


LOWDOWN ON TURAHALLI

*It’s an outdoor enthusiasts’ and rock climbers’ paradise.

*On way to Kanakapura. Beyond the KoNaNa Kunte cross there is a petrol bunk after 2 kms on the left side of the road.

*There is small road opposite the petrol bunk, which will take you to Gubba Lala village. From here Turahalli village is about 1.5 kms.