Bengaluru: A suspected attempt to encroach upon a century-old police property in Malleswaram, valued at around ₹80 crore, has come to light following an unusual discrepancy in an electricity bill, prompting a police investigation and registration of an FIR.
According to officials, the case was detected after a vigilant officer noticed a change in the name on his power bill, raising suspicion about the ownership status of the property. The discovery has now led to legal action against multiple individuals, including private persons and officials.
FIR registered, multiple accused named
An FIR has been filed at the Malleswaram Police Station based on a complaint by M Kumar. The accused include M R Mahalakshmi, Krishnamurthy, Srinath Naragadde, and certain officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and BESCOM.
Police sources said the case is currently under detailed investigation to determine the extent of the alleged fraud and the involvement of officials.
As per the complaint, the property in question dates back over 100 years and is officially recorded as police quarters in survey maps from 1913. The premises currently house families of four police inspectors along with other personnel.
Investigators believe that attempts may have been made to alter official records or manipulate documentation to facilitate illegal occupation or transfer of the land.
Power bill discrepancy exposes alleged fraud
The case took a crucial turn when a police officer noticed that the electricity bill for the property reflected a different name, which did not match official ownership records. This anomaly triggered further verification, eventually exposing a possible encroachment attempt.
Officials suspect that changes in utility records may have been used as a method to establish false claims over the property.
Role of civic and utility officials under scrutiny
The involvement of officials from BBMP and BESCOM has raised concerns about possible lapses or collusion within government departments. Authorities are examining whether procedural violations or deliberate actions enabled the alleged manipulation of records.
Sources indicated that all relevant documents, including land records, electricity connections, and municipal entries, are being scrutinised.
Investigation underway
Police have stated that further action will be taken based on evidence collected during the probe. The focus remains on identifying how the name change occurred and whether there was a coordinated effort to encroach upon the valuable land.
Conclusion
The incident highlights how even long-standing government properties can become targets for encroachment through document manipulation. The alertness of a single officer has not only prevented potential loss of public property but also triggered a wider investigation into possible systemic lapses.