Probe into Muda site sharing scam reveals exploitation of landowners

Mysuru: The probe into Mysore Urban Development Authority's (Muda) site-sharing scam revealed that influential people who were aware of the urban body's affairs, seized the opportunity to make hay while the sun shone, and minted money under the controversial 50:50 site-sharing scheme.

An organised syndicate is behind the alleged scam, as sites in most cases were given to GPA holders, who benefited, rather than the actual owners.

‘Scamsters' identified properties used by Muda without acquiring the land, and convinced the landowners to bail them out of trouble. Influential people then registered a GPA in their name by paying the landowners some amount. Later, within a month or two, the GPA holders obtained developed sites under the scheme, thus cheating the actual landowners of their full compensation.

A property owner of Devanur survey number 91 claimed that two people who promised to help them get fair compensation, approached their family and got a GPA registered in their names. They promised to get them compensation. About 2.25 acres of land in Devanur Survey Number 91, which was partially developed by Muda without acquiring it, was given to them in mid-2023. Within a month, they paid the family about Rs 1 crore. However, today, the family member and legal heir, of the owner, Varun, realised that the two people obtained more than a dozen sites in developed layouts worth Rs 15 crores. A total of 28,000 sqft was given to them as compensation under the controversial scheme. Varun has filed a complaint with Justice PN Desai Commission which is also probing the case.

Lokayukta SP TJ Udesha, who is investigating the case confirmed that he also received similar complaints during the investigation. A few landowners claimed they were duped by the GPA holders who made the money. However, the SP said investigation into the remaining sites under the scheme is underway, and they would probe this aspect while examining the records.