Vijayapura police detect land grabbing of 158 acres, arrest 200 accused

In a major operation involving coordination between various departments, a special task force of the Vijayapura police identified a gang involved in land grabbing using fake documents.

STF officers, led by Additional Inspector of Police Ramanagouda Hatti, managed to arrest 200 people in connection with 27 cases in which the accused managed to grab around 158 acres of land in the area.

The alleged crimes were committed between 2022 and 2024. Police officers not only laid charges, but also managed to return the land to its rightful owners. A detailed report was submitted to the courts.

The victims were senior citizens or those who did not live near their native land or whose ancestral land was in Vijayapura but had migrated to other cities in Karnataka or other states long ago.

Touts kept an eye on such abandoned properties. They made secret agreements with some agents, criminal elements and some officials to prepare the fake documents required during the transaction. They managed to have transactions done in cash and never asked for credit. The immovable properties were duly registered in the absence of the real owners. The criminals had formed a clique that included real estate agents, bond writers, some employees of the Karnataka government and some criminals.

Police chief Laxman Nimbargi urged property owners to take steps to protect their assets. “They must be constantly vigilant. They must visit their properties regularly, fence them, obtain up-to-date title records and keep documents safe.”

SP congratulated the team led by Mr. Hatti, comprising Parashuram Managuli, IM Dundasi, Basavan Bagevadi, RS Bhangi, IM Pendari, VB Kabade and MR Hunasikatti.