Beltangady: A case has been registered at Beltangady police station after a 61-year-old man was allegedly cheated of Rs 1,00,61,250 on the pretext of registering land in his name at Guruvayanakere in Beltangady taluk.

The complaint was filed by Shashidhar Achyutha Totantila, a resident of Kottara Chowki, Mangaluru. He alleged that Somanath Naik and Ranjan Rao Erdoor, residents of Sasyodyana in Kuvettu village, were involved in the alleged fraud.

Agreement entered for land

According to the complaint, Shashidhar had initially entered into an agreement with Ranjan Rao concerning 0.28.50 acres in Survey No. 85/3A1 of Kuvettu village.

Later, Somanath Naik allegedly assured him that a sale deed would be executed and possession of a total of 0.98.75 acres would be handed over. This included 0.70.25 acres allegedly belonging to Ranjan Rao and 0.28.50 acres belonging to Naik.

An agreement was reportedly reached for Rs 90 lakh.

Over Rs 1 crore allegedly transferred

As per the agreement, Shashidhar allegedly transferred money in several instalments to bank accounts specified by the accused.

Police said a total of Rs 1,00,61,250 was deposited into Canara Bank and Union Bank accounts belonging to Ranjan Rao, Somanath Naik, his wife Vidya Naik, Dayanand Poojary, Babu A, Sandeep, Harish and Somashekar.

However, the land was allegedly not registered in the complainant’s name despite the payments.

Land dispute comes to light

When Shashidhar questioned the accused, he allegedly learnt that the land was ‘Kummi’ land and had allegedly been encroached upon illegally. A case concerning the property has been registered before the Karnataka Land Tribunal and is under investigation.

The complainant has further alleged that another agricultural property was documented and handed over on May 14, 2026, allegedly in an attempt to resolve or evade the issue, resulting in further cheating.

He has also alleged that government land was included in the alleged fraud.

Police begin investigation

Beltangady police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, as Crime No. 91/2026. Further investigation is underway.