Hindu Temple Land of 1.30 Acres Allegedly Registered Illegally for Islamic Trust [Tumakuru, Karnataka]

(Reported as seen)

In a startling revelation, the Tumakuru City Corporation has been implicated in an illegal land registration scandal involving a prime 1.30-acre plot near the Vinayaka Temple, close to the Tumakuru main bus stand. According to reports from Suvarna News, the land, valued at a staggering Rs 70 crore, was allegedly illicitly registered for the development of a multi-utility mall.

Key individuals named in this alleged scandal include P. K. Mohammed of U. K. Monu Timber, Kanachuru Islamic Education Trust, and contractor Mohammed Ibrahim. The land, which holds significant commercial value due to its strategic location, was reportedly transferred into the names of these entities without following proper legal procedures.

Despite strong opposition from local residents and the public, the Congress government in Tumakuru has decided to lease temple land to Islamist individuals, sparking significant public outrage. The district administration is reportedly proceeding with the groundbreaking ceremony, ignoring public sentiment and resistance. Questions have arisen about whether district administration officials, determined to carry out the work, will use police to suppress public protests.

Preliminary investigations suggest that high-ranking officials within the Tumakuru City Corporation may have colluded with the beneficiaries to facilitate this fraudulent registration. The implicated parties are alleged to have bypassed several legal checks and protocols to ensure the swift transfer of the land title.

Local residents and Hindu organizations have expressed strong opposition to handing over the market area within the temple premises for construction purposes. As protests intensified, police officials arrived to maintain peace and mediate. A meeting is being held at the Chilume Hall in Tumakuru, led by police officers receiving complaints from the public. Protesters allege that the Deputy Commissioner, who was supposed to attend the meeting, has shown bias towards Islamist businessmen by not attending.

Legal experts have raised concerns about the broader implications of this case, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the extent of the corruption and to hold all responsible parties accountable. “This incident underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability in public land transactions. It’s imperative that the authorities take swift and decisive action to rectify this situation,” said an advocate specializing in land law.

In response to the scandal, Tumakuru City Corporation has promised an internal review and assured the public that stringent measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. However, many remain skeptical, calling for an independent inquiry by state-level authorities to ensure an impartial investigation.

The scandal has also caught the attention of political leaders, with several opposition parties criticizing the city administration and demanding the immediate resignations of those involved. Public protests are being organized to pressure the authorities into taking concrete action.

Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner and Municipal Commissioner, who called on the public to express their opinions on the mall construction, did not attend the meeting. Protesters claim that only the police are conducting the meeting to silence their voices. During the meeting, led by the Superintendent of Police in Tumakuru, locals were questioned about whether they would stop the project scheduled for tomorrow.

Recently, many such incidents have been recorded in different parts of Karnataka. A few weeks ago, tensions escalated in Vijayapur as members of the Islamic community strongly opposed the construction of a Scheduled Caste (SC) community hall near a mosque.

In a separate incident, traffic was significantly disrupted in Mangaluru when a group of Islamists offered Namaz in the middle of a busy road, leading the police to register a suo-motu case against those involved. Both incidents, which occurred under the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, have sparked criticism, with accusations that the government is backing Islamists and the Waqf Board while failing to take appropriate action. Hindus are continuously raising their voices against the Islamic-biased Karnataka Congress government.