Farmer climbs tree on Shivamogga DC office premises, alleges corruption against Revenue Dept. officials

Tension prevailed for some time on the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Wednesday after a farmer climbed a tree and threatened to jump off, alleging corruption by Revenue Department officials.

N. Nagaraj, 55, from Ramenakoppa village in Shivamogga taluk, climbed a huge banyan tree on the premises and refused to come down even after his relatives and officials appealed to him. Personnel of the Fire and Emergency Services were summoned.

Mr. Nagaraj said the then Deputy Commissioner had passed an order in August, in a land ownership dispute, in favour of him and a few other litigants. The tahsildar, who was to act on the order after verifying the relevant records, delayed the process and took money from the litigants, he alleged. He said he and the other litigants were worried because the tahsildar had been transferred the previous day.

After repeated persuasion by officials and relatives, Mr. Nagaraj agreed to come down. Fire and Emergency Services personnel helped him down with a ladder. He then told the media that a few Revenue Department officials took money to implement the Deputy Commissioner’s order and even demanded more. Later, he met Deputy Commissioner Prakash G.T. Nittali and submitted a petition.

When The Hindu contacted the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Nittali said he had gathered information from the farmer about the issue. “The previous Deputy Commissioner issued an order, and the tahsildar has to act as per the order. The new tahsildar took charge of the office this morning. He will take up the issue and act as per law. I have told him the same,” he said.

On the allegations of corruption, he said that if there were specific allegations against anyone, backed by concrete evidence, he could order an inquiry and take further action.