Bengaluru: “Getting a khata done for a 30x40 feet property is a Herculean task for citizens of the city, but a generous BBMP has given the khata for an entire hillock at Rajarajeshwarinagar. The Palike has also issued a building plan in contravention with the law,” alleged ruling party leader in the BBMP council N.R. Ramesh, here on Monday.

Unearthing a scam involving a whopping Rs 500 crore, Mr Ramesh said that the hillock, Hanumagiri, situated on Survey No. 168 of Hosakerihalli in Rajarajeshwarinagar spreads over 14.1 acres. The land was converted into “non-agriculture” and the khata was issued in favour of private builders. Since the Supreme Court has ruled that hills and hillocks are government property and ‘B’ kharab land, they can be used only for public purpose amenities like playgrounds, stadiums and parks.

He demanded that the revenue department should cancel the auction, and the BBMP and BDA should withdraw the plans. The housing project should be stopped immediately, he said. The builder has produced a fake certificate from the pollution control board and failed to obtain no objection certificate from the HAL airport as the company is constructing skyscrapers (48 floors).

Auctioning and converting government land into non-agriculture and residential purpose is a criminal offence. The land was auctioned for Rs 18 crore in 2006, and it was re-sold the same year, he said. “I have already registered a complaint with the BMTF and Lokayukta. Within a week, a PIL will be filed before the high court. A number of influential people and political bigwigs are involved in the scam,” he alleged.

Revenue officials from BBMP have sent a demand notice to the builder for Rs 2.4 crore as betterment charges, but the builder has not bothered to pay. The officials have failed to collect the charges and initiate appropriate action, he said and demanded stern action against all the officials involved.