Madikeri: The issue of fake title deeds being issued in Somarpet taluk is set to take a new turn. Following complaints, the district administration has issued instructions to deal with the offenders sternly.

An FIR has been registered at the Somwarpet police station with regard to this a few days ago.

As many as 5,000 fake title deeds have reportedly been issued to people from the economically weaker sections in Somwarpet and the culprits are allegedly local politicians and a few retired Revenue department officials. Addanda C. Cariappa, a member of Virajpet Taluk Panchayat, at a press conference recently had come out with details of the racket in which title deeds were being issued for Government land.

They were, in fact, sold for prices ranging from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 5,000.

With the help of such fake title deeds, a beneficiaries will be able to get the site registered for availing themselves of funds to construct houses under Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation. They are not entitled to get loans to construct houses on non-registered sites.

Mr. Cariappa alleged that local politicians belonging to all major political parties were involved in the racket, with a view to garnering votes in the coming local body elections.

`Apathy'

According to sources, the district administration's "apathy" towards distributing the title deeds to the beneficiaries had led to the racket.

The signature of the Somwarpet tahsildar has allegedly been forged.

Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav said that an FIR had been registered following complaints by the tahsildar.

A former tahsildar was involved in the racket, Mr. Cariappa alleged. No one could take away Government land illegally. Those found guilty would be charged for cheating, forgery and encroachment of Government land, Mr. Yadav said.

The name of an elected representative from Somwarpet taluk has also been dragged into the controversy.

Mr. Yadav said that fake title deed cases had become rampant in Somwarpet taluk in the past five months and More than 5,000 fake title deeds had been issued to the people.

B.A. Jivijaya, Somwarpet MLA, had sent a letter to the Deputy Commissioner on January 4 last, seeking an inquiry into the racket.

Mr. Jivijaya said that fake deeds were being sold for Rs. 2,000 each. The racket was rampant in Abburkatte, Madapur and Somwarpet towns, he said.

A printing press in Madapur had allegedly printed the fake certificates, he said. Mr. Jivijaya also produced a copy of the fake certificate along with his letter that conferred title deeds on a woman at Jumboor village in Somwarpet taluk.

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