Disappointed by the rampant corruption and irregularities in the distribution of compensation to farmers who gave up their land for industrial development, the Citizens’ Rights Foundation has appealed to the authorities, including the Prime Minister and the Directorate of Enforcement, for a thorough investigation to be carried out on the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board. (KIADB) Land Acquisition Officer-2, Balappa Handigun.

There are numerous allegations and complaints of farmers who provided land for industrial facilities around Doddaballapur. Due to these allegations and compensation irregularities, the government ordered a departmental inquiry against Balappa Handigund. He petitioned the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal (KSAT) to prevent disciplinary proceedings, but the KSAT dismissed his petition on December 5, 2023, stating that it had no standing to challenge it.

Prior to this, Geetha G of Ambedkar Colony, Hesaraghatta, lodged a complaint with the Halasuru Gate police against Balappa Handigund for awarding compensation worth Rs 84 lakh to the wrong person instead of the land owner. Halasuru Gate police registered a first information report (FIR) against Balappa Handigund on March 2, 2023, under Sections 419, 420, 409, 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, and under Section 3 (IV) of SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. “The case is pending in the court,” said Ramu, Gita’s son.

Citizens Rights Foundation, in a letter dated November 6, has appealed to the Prime Minister to direct the Enforcement Directorate to take appropriate action on the complaints lodged by it against Land Acquisition Officer-2 Balappa Handigund of the KIADB. “We complained to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil and Chief Secretary against Balappa Handigund on September 12, but the Large and Medium Industries Minister wrote a letter to the Chief Minister stating that Balappa Handigund is a efficient official and has been working hard. He wants me to continue in the same position to complete the land acquisition process and hand it over to Foxconn Company and Knowledge Health Innovation and Research. “The minister appealed to the Chief Minister to allow Balappa Handigund to continue in the same position in the public interest,” said KA Paul, president of Citizens Rights Foundation.