Mysuru: Madikeri Forest range, ACF Mr Ranganath has passed an order to evict 150.3 acres at Kopatti village in Bagamandala hobli in Kodagu, which is allegedly owned by Ms Daisy Jacob, wife of IPS officer Mr Jacob Thomas, considering that it is an encroachment of forest department land.
Mr Yedukondalu, DCF, Madikeri Forest range, Kodagu, confirmed this to Deccan Chronicle. He informed, “Following the 1901 Reserve forest notification, no fresh titles or privileges are allowed. And the entire 150.3 acres of land claimed to be owned by Ms Daisy Jacob did not fall under the 1901 Reserve forest notification. Hence it has been considered as an encroachment of land of the forest department. And a detailed eviction order running into 103 pages, has been passed under section 64 A of Karnataka Forest Act 1963 on October 27,” Mr Yedukondalu said.
He added, “Ms Daisy Jacob claimed that she purchased the land from one Mr Krishna Bhat in 1991. Since then, there has been a long legal battle including a writ petition in the High Court followed by the High Court order in 2003, which left the final order to the discretion of ACF Madikeri forest range. A detailed survey of land was undertaken. And it was confirmed that it was encroachment of forest land, and hence the eviction order has been passed. Now during the first 30 days from the date of the eviction order, Ms Daisy can go on appeal to the Chief Conservator of Forests or the High Court. So far she has not approached any of them,” Mr Yedukondalu clarified.
