Property scam: Shankar sees motive in probe delay

Sahay is required to submit a report on the extent of encroachment of forest land in Chikmagalur district to the Supreme Court.

Shankar said records available with the Government showed that his family enjoyed the legal titles to the plantation said to have been “encroached upon”. He stated that similar allegations of encroachment were made against his father-in-law in 1987-88about the same plot of land, and he had volunteered to subject the land for a survey by the Forest and Revenue departments. Consequently, the Forest department surveyed the land at Kenjigegudda village and submitted a report which confirmed that there was no encroachment.

The State Janata Dal chief suspected forces at work to tarnish his image by highlighting the imaginary forest offence’ against him. “Because whenever I am in position of power these allegations have cropped up.”

“My suspicion that some of the forest officials, with the support of some political opponents, have chosen to target me in this alleged encroachment of forest land,” he said.

In his deposition, he asked how the official records of the Forest Department could appear in the press against the regulations, and also demanded to know why the matter was not probed into.

Further, he expressed his opposition to the fact that he was not asked to clarify any aspect regarding the property before legal action was initiated. Why wasno notice served on me before surveying my land to find out the alleged encroachment and how and when the officials came to the conclusion that I have encroachment 31.12 acres at Kenchigegudda village? an agonized Shankar wanted to know.