The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Bidar Fort land grant issue takes a new turn

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Bidar Fort land grant issue takes a new turn

Staff Reporter

Government tells court that records appear to have been fabricated

Controversy: A file picture of the Bidar Fort.

BANGALORE: The issue of grant of land by the Land Grant Committee within the premises of the famed Bidar Fort took a new turn on Tuesday with the State Government informing the Karnataka High Court that some of the land records appeared to be fabricated.

The court is hearing appeals by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the State Government against a decision of the committee to grant land near some monuments within the fort premises.

When the matter came up for hearing, the Government said that some of the land records appeared to be fabricated. It said that some names and survey numbers of the land granted appeared to have been “filled in” later. Moreover, the members of the committee had not physically inspected the land before granting it.

When the court asked the Government why it was not taking action against those responsible for fabricating the records, the Government said action would be taken as per the law.

While the ASI is claiming that the land could not have been granted as it forms part of the Mohammadan architecture comprising of tombs, mosques, madrasas, fort and palaces belonging to the Bahamani kings and subsequently the Barid Shahs, the State too has opposed the grant of land.

The court has adjourned further hearing on the issue to enable the persons to whom the grant had been made to put forth their arguments.

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