Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (RD)
Pics: Arun Uppinangady

Puttur, May 24: A retired Tahsildar was arrested by the sleuths for allegedly disposing off the land which was applied for legalizing the encroached land in his wife's name, here on Friday May 23.

G S Kulal, a retired Tahsildar was arrested for encroaching government land of 4.38 acres and applied for legalizing it under his wife's name. His application for this effect was pending with the district revenue department who has not issued title deeds for the same land.

Interestingly, he had managed to sell this land to a certain person from Kasargod for Rs 1.18 crores through some broker.  The prime land lies close to Puttur National Memorial Balavana, where he also owns 5 acres plot adjacent to 4.38 acres encroached land which was applied for legalizing on his wife's name. 

Assistant Commissioner Vasant Kumar and Tahsildar M Keshayya had issued orders to the police to arrest G S Kulal, owing to his alleged act in applying for the legalization of encroached government land that was lying next to his legally owned land of 5 acres.  Forest department officials too arrived at the site, since the new alleged landlord from Kasargod, arranged to level the land using heavy earthmovers, thereby logging precious trees and disturbing the peace in the area.  The police also seized 2 trucks and 5 heavy earthmovers from the site.

Town police have registered a case in this regard and legal process to prosecute the retired erring Tahsildar underway.