Are cops shielding former top cop?

Although the case was registered against Ramamurthy at Kothanur police station on April 18, police officer claims he has been given a clean chit a couple of months ago

Although the case was registered against Ramamurthy at Kothanur police station on April 18, police officer claims he has been given a clean chit a couple of months ago

Former IPS officer and retired ACP (Traffic) K C Ramamurthy has been accused of grabbing about 1-acre of prime land worth Rs 300 crore by using forged documents.

Former IPS officer K C Ramamurthy is the chairman of CMR Group of Institution

The matter pertains to a complaint filed by Rajappa (57), a native of Bidarahalli, who accused the ex-top cop and his relatives of grabbing 21 guntas of agricultural land in Bilishivale in Bangalore east and selling it to property developer Joseph Chacko on August 18, 2008.

Rajappa alleged that after completing the formalities, Chacko - who is also facing land-grabbing charges in several police stations - converted it into non-agricultural land with the Zilla Panchayat's permission, and subsequently sold it several customers.

Fraud unfolds
In January 2010, the owner of one such site informed Chacko that a group of people were attempting to fence the area, claiming that the land belonged to them. When he approached Rajappa for clarification, the latter approached the jurisdictional sub-registrar to check the encumbrance certificate.

Shocking discovery
"I was shocked to see that the certificate shows a sale deed was executed by me in favour of one Srinivas, and that I had issued a general power of attorney. The irony is that neither do I know Srinivas, nor have I sold my land. The sale deed and my signature have been forged," Rajappa claimed.

On further verification, Rajappa found that Srinivas along with Haroon and Ramamurthy's relatives had allegedly procured fake documents and forged signatures to grab the land. "They have done this on the behest of Ramamurthy, who was the then additional commissioner of police of Bangalore city," Rajappa alleged.

Police unaware?
The police however, claimed that they were unaware of any complaint being filed in this regard. Deputy Commissioner of Police (north-east zone) Ravikanthe Gowda, feigning ignorance, said, "No complaint has been filed in this regard. As far as I remember, there were allegations a few months back, and we have investigated and filed a B (not guilty) report."

It must be noted that the case was registered against Ramamurthy at Kothanur police station only on April 18.
Meanwhile, Kothanur Police Inspector C Balakrishna, who is handling the case, said, "We are conducting an enquiry. Ramamurthy has been booked under Section 420, 468, 471," said. He added that the case is to divert the attention from the ongoing investigations into Chaco's land scams and cheating cases that are pending in various police stations.

When contacted, Ramamurthy refuted the allegations saying, "I do not know any Rajappa. There are many people, with vested interests, who make allegations."