Bengaluru e-Khata irregularities: FIR against 31, including Basavaraj

Bengaluru: In a major development in the alleged illegal e-Khata issuance case in Bengaluru, police have registered an FIR against 31 persons, including assistant commissioner Basavaraj N. Magi. The complaint accuses officials and private applicants of exploiting a facility intended for banks to obtain e-Khatas for properties that were not eligible.

Halasuru Gate police registered the case based on a complaint filed by Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Special Commissioner (Revenue) Munish Moudgil.

The alleged irregularities relate to a special provision under the SARFAESI Act, which enables banks to secure e-Khatas for properties taken over and auctioned after borrowers default on loans. The complaint alleges that this facility was extended to private applicants and builders through the misuse of official procedures.

Instead of submitting the required SARFAESI orders or sale certificates, applicants allegedly uploaded ordinary sale deeds and joint development agreements. On the basis of these documents, e-Khatas were reportedly issued for properties that did not meet the eligibility conditions.

The complaint identifies Basavaraj Magi, assistant commissioner of the KR Puram division and acting revenue officer, as a key accused. It alleges that 98 ineligible properties in Horamavu and KR Puram received e-Khatas through his official login between January 29 and June 19 this year.

A total of 31 people have been named in the FIR. The offences include alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and using forged documents as genuine under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The latest FIR comes after recommendations were made earlier to suspend Magi and Kengeri division assistant commissioner Lokamatha D.S. Police are examining the documents submitted for the e-Khata applications and the role of those involved in processing and approving them.

The investigation is expected to establish how the bank-specific facility was allegedly diverted and whether more officials or private beneficiaries were involved.

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