Madikeri: Lokayukta police filed a case against M P Suja Kushalappa, brother of minister Ranjan, president of Virajpet legalizing-illegal lands Committees and 3 members besides 4 Tahsildars, on the basis of complaint lodged by the former MLC and senior lawyer A K Subbayya.

The cases are being filed against the Committee secretary and Tahsildar V Hanumantarayappa, former Tahsildars H C Chamu, Hanumantayya and C Nagaraju, the Committee members Kalapanda Sudhir, Puttaswamy and Mandepanda Maina Harish in this regard.

M P Suja Kushalappa is the key accused in this case.

A K Subbayya in his complaint to Lokayukta alleged that M P Suja Kushalappa had taken a bribe of Rs 70,000 to Rs 2 lac form the beneficiaries, while working as chairman of Virajpet taluk legalizing –illegal lands Committee from March 15 2010.  He had also approved title deeds by forging land records to his relatives.

Mysore Lokayukta inspector Victor Simon led police personnel began investigations after registering the cae, under section 13 (1) (D),  R/W 13 (2) PC of anti-corruption Act 1988 and IPC section 461, 463, 464, 465, R/W 34.  If the charges are proved, the accused had to undergo 7 years imprisonment under anti-corruption Act and 2 years and 7 months imprisonment under IPC Act.

It may be recalled that a certain V T Madan had lodged complaint with Lokayukta police related to illegal approval of lands in the past.  Suja Kushalappa who was also accused of threatening a journalist in the past is the brother of minister Ranjan.