Shivamogga: Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedike asks city corporation to take over contested property as per High Court order

The Shivamogga Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedike has urged the Shivamogga City Corporation to take possession of the prominent property on Nehru Road in the city. It was registered in the names of the former Mayor’s children based on false records.

K.V. Vasanth Kumar, president of the forum, at a press conference in Shivamogga on January 27, said that the Karnataka High Court had heard the writ petition challenging the order of the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA), who had cancelled the khata of the property, issued in the names of S.M. Sharath and S.M. Abhilash, sons of former city Mayor Mariyappa. The court, in its judgement on December 11, 2025, directed the city corporation to take possession of the property.

Mr. Kumar said that his forum had been fighting against the land grab since 2015. The former Mayor got the property, which measures 40/80 ft, registered in his sons’ names, and got a khata issued based on false records. “We complained to the Deputy Commissioner, and the DMA cancelled the khata after verifying the documents. Later, the opponents moved the High Court, cancelling the DMA’s order. Now, the court has clearly stated that the property belongs to the city corporation," he stated.

The private individuals had been enjoying rent and other benefits from the property. The commissioner of the corporation should issue a notice and take over the property immediately. “Further, the corporation should initiate criminal action against those responsible for the land grab,” he demanded.