Vacate forest land, Jacob Thomas' wife told

Mysuru: Ms Daisy Jacob, wife of Vigilance director Jacob Thomas, is in trouble as she has been charged with encroachment on 150.3 acres forest land at Kopatti village in Bagamandala forest range in Kodagu.   Madikeri assistant conservator of forests Ranganath has ordered her eviction of the forest land. Mr Yedukondalu,  DCF, Kodagu, confirming this to Deccan Chronicle, said:  

“Followed by 1901 Reserve forest notification, no fresh titles or privileges are allowed. But Central Government has powers to give fresh titles. The entire 150.3 acres on survey no: 1/1, 1/9 and 1/23 of Kopatti village in Pattighat reserve forest in Bagamandala Hobli in Kodagu, claimed to be owned by Ms Daisy Jacob, did not fall (was not earmarked or notified as private property in the map of Reserved forest) under the 1901 Reserve forest notification. And even fresh titles were not granted to the said land by even Central Government. Hence it has been considered as an encroachment of the land of forest department. And a detailed eviction order running to 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 department 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 an appeal to Chief Conservator of Forests or the High Court, if she finds flaws in the said order,” Mr Yedukondalu clarified.