The Karnataka government has launched an eviction drive to reclaim 14.04 acres of government land in Ramanagara district, allegedly encroached upon by Union Minister and senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy. The move comes a day after the Karnataka High Court issued strict warnings to officials for delaying the implementation of its previous eviction orders.
The eviction operation, led by Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner Yashwant V Gurukar and Additional Superintendent of Police Suresh, commenced on Tuesday near HD Kumaraswamy’s farmhouse in Kethaganahalli village, Bidadi. Officials from the revenue and survey departments deployed earthmovers to clear the encroachment, following a joint survey by the Karnataka government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the revenue department. The survey had identified the encroached land under survey numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, and 79.
Gurukar confirmed the eviction drive, stating, “Based on the high court’s direction, we are carrying out the encroachment clearance today. The identified encroachment is over 14 acres, and detailed findings will be submitted to the court.”
The case has been under judicial scrutiny, with the Karnataka High Court taking a strong stance against government inaction. During a hearing on Monday, the court sought an explanation for the delay in reclaiming the land and warned that failure to act could result in the imprisonment of responsible officials. The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 19, directing the revenue department to submit a status report.
Reacting to the development, HD Kumaraswamy accused the Congress-led state government of conspiring against him. He asserted that he had legally purchased the land 40 years ago and vowed to fight the allegations through legal means. “I have never engaged in any illegal activities. The land in question was purchased four decades ago. I will legally challenge this conspiracy against me,” he told reporters before departing for New Delhi.
HD Kumaraswamy also claimed he had not been served any notice regarding the eviction, stating that legal procedures were not followed. “Law mandates that an individual facing allegations must be given at least a week’s notice. I have not received any such communication,” he argued, questioning the necessity of forming a SIT specifically for this case.
Meanwhile, Karnataka minister and Congress leader Priyank Kharge countered HD Kumaraswamy’s claims, stating, “If HD Kumaraswamy believes this is a political attack, he should provide documentary proof of ownership.”
The controversy has further intensified political tensions in Karnataka, with both parties gearing up for a legal and political battle over the eviction drive.
