Karnataka BJP leader alleges land encroachment by Minister Byre Gowda’s aide

Bengaluru, July 7 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Corporator N.R. Ramesh on Tuesday alleged that former BBMP Corporator K.M. Chetan, a close aide of Karnataka Minister for Bengaluru Development Krishna Byre Gowda, had encroached upon 32 guntas of Union government land belonging to the Ministry of Power and registered in the name of President Droupadi Murmu.

He demanded a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into the alleged land encroachment and accused the Karnataka government of failing to act despite court orders and repeated representations by Union government officials.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, BJP leader Ramesh named K.M. Chetan, the current President of Chairman Club and a former BBMP Corporator from Kodigehalli Ward (2015–2020), along with his father and former club President N. Manjunath, as being responsible for the alleged encroachment.

He claimed that the father and son had occupied the land, valued at more than Rs 100 crore, during their respective tenures as Presidents of the club.

BJP leader Ramesh said that complaints had been lodged before the Karnataka Lokayukta against K.M. Chetan, N. Manjunath and certain BBMP officials, alleging government land encroachment, forgery and cheating.

He urged the Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to entrust the alleged “Union government land encroachment scam” to the CID for a comprehensive investigation.

BJP leader Ramesh claimed that the alleged encroachment pertains to a parcel of land in Survey number 17/1 at Kodigehalli village in Yelahanka Hobli of Bengaluru North taluk, which falls under the Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency represented by Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.

He alleged that valuable government land in the Assembly constituency had been under illegal occupation by the Minister Byre Gowda’s aides and supporters for nearly 18 years, despite complaints being filed before investigating agencies and courts.

According to BJP leader Ramesh, Chairman Club, also known as Chairman’s Resorts, owns 1.11 acres in Survey number 14/1.

However, the BJP leader alleged that the club had illegally enclosed an adjoining 32 guntas of land owned by the Ministry of Power by extending its compound wall, increasing the total area under its possession to around 2.1 acres.

BJP leader Ramesh said the disputed land forms part of a 3.04-acre property belonging to the Ministry of Power, where residential quarters of the Southern Regional Power Committee (SRPC) are located.

He alleged that the vacant 32-gunta portion had been converted into an open dining area and parking space for Chairman Club.

He also alleged that despite several court judgments affirming the ownership of the land by the Ministry of Power, the Karnataka government had failed to initiate action to reclaim the property.

He said Pankaj Agarwal, the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Power, had written to the Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on December 22, 2025, requesting immediate action to remove the alleged encroachment in compliance with court orders.

He also claimed that on May 11, 2026, the Ministry’s Superintending Engineer had written to the Assistant Director of Land Records in Yelahanka seeking an early survey of the property, but no action had followed.

According to BJP leader Ramesh, officials of the Ministry of Power had made repeated attempts to reclaim the land.

However, the BJP leader alleged that supporters of Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and K.M. Chetan gathered at the site, threatened the government officials and prevented them from carrying out their duties.

He also alleged that the local police failed to assist the Union government officials.

There was no immediate response from Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, K.M. Chetan or Chairman Club regarding the allegations.

–IANS

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