2 claim ownership of land leased to JD(S)

BENGALURU: A couple of days after the BBMP passed a resolution to hand over 1.01 acres of land behind the Chowdaiah Memorial hall to JD(S) for their office, a couple of persons claimed that the land actually belonged to them and that the BBMP should withdraw the resolution.

A businessman Chandrashekar Bhat and Revamma claimed that the land situated on survey no. 2 of Rajamahalhally belonged to them and they have approached both Mayor Shantakumari and Commissioner M. Lakshminarayan.

Revamma is claiming a portion of land on the land which is proposed to be allotted to the JD(S). However, she is unable to provide any supporting documents to claim her ownership.

In the case of Mr. Bhat, he is not able to provide proper ownership of the land and how he had inherited the property.

Since both the claimants are not able to provide proper documents for their claims, both of them have been given endorsement, said sources in the BBMP revenue department.

Interestingly, even the BBMP does not have proper ownership documents. However, some portion of land has been leased to different organisations, official sources added.

Mr. Bhat, resident of RMV Extension said that the land was granted to his mother B. K. Subbalakshmi in 1954. While, Revamma said a portion of land on the same survey number belonged to her and she has moved papers to get khata changed in her name.

Bhat claimed the land was part of the 3.3 acre vacant plot and was given to his mother under an Inam in a letter dated September 23, 1954 issued by the secretary of his highness H. N. Pallyegar, IAS.

Since the documents were misplaced she could not apply for transfer of khata. However, subsequently, she applied for transfer of khata of the property in February 2004 at the office of the Assistant Revenue Officer at Malleswaram.

But he claimed the ARO issued endorsement on March 10, 2004, giving untenable reason following which his mother approached the High Court, which on August 30, 2005, directed the ARO to consider her application.

Subsequently, the request went from table to table in the BBMP including the BDA’s office. BDA and city survey department measured the land and prepared the sketch thereby identifying that the land belonged to them, he claimed.

Presently, it has been forwarded to Joint Commissioner (west) for consideration. The Mayor and Commissioner said that both the claimants have no proper documents to prove that they are the legal heirs of the property.

Meanwhile, BBMP revenue officials are verifying the documents. Based on the report by the revenue officials, a decision will be taken, they added.