BENGALURU: Are policemen real estate agents or middlemen? Despite a stern warning from Home Minister G Parameshwar to not involve themselves in real estate dealings, the Jigani police have allegedly stood in full support of land grabbers, who allegedly encroached upon government property and threatened a Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) for trying to stop it. Further, the police did not register FIRs in connection with two complaints filed by the PDO.
The PDO of Hulimangala Grama Panchayat in Anekal taluk, Rehman Shariff, was allegedly threatened by one, Devaraju, who is said to be a rowdy sheeter and Rajashekhar and others. The DC had ordered for transfer of 2.10 acres of land in survey number 110 in Koppa Gate village to Hulimangala Grama Panchayat under ‘Ashraya’ government scheme. On the said land, Rajashekhar and Vijayamma were allegedly trying to construct a shed on the morning of December 28, claiming that a part of the land belonged to them.
The same day, the PDO filed a complaint with the Jigani police seeking police protection to stop the construction work. Construction work was stopped on the same day as policemen were sent for protection. But no FIR was registered in this connection. Three days after the incident, the PDO along with other staff and policemen went to the spot to demolish the structure built by Rajashekhar.
Meanwhile, the Devaraju, Rajashekhar and others did not let the excavation vehicle enter the land in dispute. Further, they also threatened the PDO saying they would burn him alive if he demolished the building. Following the incident, the PDO filed another complaint the same day but was shocked as the police did not register FIR even in this case and did not take any action against the accused.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, PDO Mr. Shariff said, “The police have not registered FIRs in connection with both the complaints I have filed. After I filed the second complaint, the people who threatened me contacted me over phone and tried to convince me to take the complaints back. They claimed ownership of the government land but did not possess proper documents. If they again try to encroach upon the land, I will complain directly to the SP.”
Further, he alleged that the accused had backing from a senior police official. “I came to know that a Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Bengaluru Rural district is supporting the accused and thus no FIR was registered,” he added.
Stay away from real estate deals: Dr G to cops
Dr. G. Parameshwar, addressing senior police officers for the first time on November 6 after taking charge as Home Minister, had warned the top brass to stay away from real estate dealings. “I know that a good number of senior police officers are into real estate. It’s high time they abandon that and concentrate on their policing work. I will not tolerate it and you can take it as a warning. If any officer is found involved, they will be dealt with stringently,” he had warned.
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