Floor committee to be formed to inquire into illegal sale of lands on fake documents

Deputy Mayor announces a three-member committee to investigate illegal land sales using fake documents in Hubballi.

Deputy Mayor Santosh Chavan said that a three-member floor committee will be formed to inquire into the issue of fake documents of re-allottment of land from the municipal corporation being used to sell corporation property to the public.

Chairing the monthly council meeting of the Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) in the absence of Mayor Jyoti Patil in Hubballi on January 31, Mr. Chavan said that it is a matter of serious concern and he will also be a part of the committee.

He asked Congress councillor Arif Bhadrapur, who raised the issue during zero hour, to appear before the committee with all the documents he had pertaining to such fraudulent transactions and the public being duped.

Mr. Bhadrapur said that in response to a starred question previously raised by him in the council meeting, the officials had given a detailed reply clarifying that no re-allotment of land orders had been issued by them between 2004 and 2006. “Such being the case, fraudulent transactions were being made using forged and fake documents to sell lands in Krishnapur village (now part of municipal corporation) to the gullible public,” he said, adding that there was a possibility of corporation property being sold fraudulently as well.

The councillor noted that gangs with access to documents have been operating in the city for several years, and though officials confirm the existence of fake documents, no action has been taken to punish those involved and protect the public.

Concurring with him, BJP councillor Satish Hangal, former Mayor Iresh Anchatageri, and floor leader Thippanna Majjagi suggested forming a committee to look into the issue. Consequently, Mr. Chavan ruled that a house committee would be formed.