Karnataka Information Commission orders probe after ‘dead man’ appears in Mysuru land records

The Karnataka Information Commission has ordered high-level inquiries into three separate land dispute cases across Mysuru, Mandya, and Bengaluru Urban districts, with one case in Mysuru drawing particular attention after records allegedly showed a deceased person attending official hearings.

State Information Commissioner Rudranna Hartikote, while hearing appeals filed by three applicants, directed the Deputy Commissioners of the districts concerned and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department to constitute inquiry committees headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioners. These panels have been asked to investigate the cases, submit reports, and inform the applicants of their findings.

Dead father ‘attending’ hearings

The most striking case emerged from Mysuru, where S. Ravi, a resident of Kyathamaranahalli, alleged serious irregularities in records related to Survey No. 155. Mr. Ravi claimed that although his father, Shivachikkayya, had passed away, official documents showed him attending hearings at the taluk office on June 13, 2023, and July 11, 2023, and even signing documents.

Seeking proof, Mr. Ravi filed a Right to Information (RTI) application requesting certified records along with CCTV camera footage of his father’s alleged visits to the office. However, the taluk office failed to provide the requested information.

Taking serious note, the commission observed that such discrepancies could amount to a criminal offence. It directed that an inquiry be conducted under the supervision of the Additional Deputy Commissioner after verifying the death certificate. If wrongdoing is established, officials responsible must face criminal proceedings, and the applicant must be duly informed.

File discrepancies in Mandya

In another case from Mandya district, K.S. Parthasarathi of Kottahalli village in Maddur taluk sought records related to Survey Nos. 53/50 and 53/51, allegedly linked to land alienation in favour of an educational institution. Initially, authorities claimed the file was missing.

However, during the hearing, officials stated that the file was actually available in the Sub-Divisional Officer’s office and pertained to Malavalli taluk. The commission has now ordered the verification of the file’s authenticity and directed that disciplinary action be initiated if irregularities are found.

‘Suspicious’ records in Bengaluru

A similar concern arose in Bengaluru East taluk, where Govindaraju, a resident of Mitaganahalli village, sought records related to Survey No. 2. Officials termed the file “suspicious,” prompting the commission to order a detailed inquiry into the matter as well.

Penalty in temple RTI case

In another set of four cases, the commission has imposed a penalty of ₹1 lakh on K.P. Gopalakrishna Rao, the administrative officer and Public Information Officer of Sri Mariyamma temple in Karkala, Udupi district. The commission has also directed that compensation of ₹16,000 be paid to the applicant across the four cases. The applicant, Somanath Nayak K., had filed applications seeking certain information related to the temple under the Muzrai Department.

The administrative officer, serving as the Public Information Officer, neither appeared for the commission’s hearings nor provided the requested information. The temple receives an annual grant of ₹60,000 from the government, and ₹25 lakh was sanctioned in 2022 for its renovation. Despite orders from the commission to furnish the information, the officer had failed to comply, Mr. Hartikote told The Hindu.