Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday announced that the state government will launch a detailed investigation into alleged lapses in land acquisition cases under the Irrigation Department and the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), warning that unresolved errors could impose a financial burden of nearly ₹5 lakh crore on the state.
Shivakumar, who also oversees the Bengaluru Urban Development and Water Resources portfolios, addressed reporters after a review meeting at Vidhana Soudha on pending cases linked to the Water Resources Department and the BDA.
When questioned on the scale of potential financial impact and reports of individuals exploiting legal provisions to obtain inflated compensation, he said, &ldquo;I, along with the BDA Chairman and senior officials, visited Delhi and held meetings.&nbsp;If we fail to correct these lapses, the government may end up facing a burden of nearly ₹5 lakh crore.&rdquo;
He said a special team had already begun reviewing the cases and would submit a report within 10&ndash;15 days, adding that &ldquo;If required, an SIT will be constituted later to conduct a comprehensive investigation.&rdquo;
Shivakumar said the government had initiated an internal inquiry to identify the reasons for delays and escalation of cases. 
&ldquo;These cases will put a huge financial burden on the government. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Law Minister H.K. Patil, and a team of lawyers from Delhi participated in the discussions,&rdquo; he said.
He also referred to recent decisions taken by the government: &ldquo;We took a historic decision in the Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam to increase compensation for mutually agreed land acquisition. Around ₹75,000 crore will be earmarked for this.&rdquo;
The Revenue Department has been instructed to examine lapses in the Bengaluru region, Shivakumar said. 
&ldquo;Officials and members of the legal team failed to file applications on time, causing delays. We have directed that a report be submitted,&rdquo; he added.
He noted that major cases are scheduled for hearing in the Supreme Court on November 10, making it essential for the government to identify procedural lapses in advance. 
He also announced that an SIT would be formed to investigate &ldquo;where and how conspiracies have occurred.&rdquo;
Shivakumar said that officials found guilty of negligence would be suspended, and lawyers responsible for mishandling cases would be removed. 
&ldquo;There are 219 lawyers representing cases of the Irrigation Department. None of them have taken responsibility. All of them will be removed and new lawyers will be appointed,&rdquo; he said.
He further stated that the government would establish an authority headed by a retired judge to resolve cases outside court and bring amendments in the next Assembly session to curb procedural delays. 
Legal monitoring units will be set up in Delhi and Bengaluru.
Shivakumar also directed that compensation for Bengaluru Business Corridor Roads 1 and 2 begin within one month, with project work to commence within six months. 
&ldquo;If there is any delay, existing officials will be removed and new officials will be appointed to carry the work forward,&rdquo; he said.
&mdash;IANS

Shivakumar vows probe into massive land case errors

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Shivakumar vows probe into massive land case errors

November 23, 2025 | 16:06 IST