Bengaluru ARO suspended over Khata scam

The order follows an investigation that revealed her direct involvement in a massive, multi-million dollar illegal khata registration scam. | Photo credit: Image for representational purposes

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has ordered the suspension of KS Manjula, assistant revenue officer (ARO) of Herohalli sub-division (Bengaluru West City Corporation), over alleged illegal conversion of khata that caused a loss of crores of rupees to the civic body.

The order follows an investigation that revealed her direct involvement in a massive, multi-million dollar illegal khata registration scam. The alleged fraudulent activities came to light following a detailed complaint filed by NR Ramesh, former Bengaluru South district BJP president and former councillor.

The complaint alleged that Ms. Manjula violated statutory regulations and issued illegal ‘A-Khatas’ and ‘e-Khatas’ for more than 50 individual plots located in an unauthorized layout. The properties are situated under Survey No. 56/1 at village Herohalli, Yeshwantpur hobli.

Subsequent investigations by civic officials reportedly confirmed serious, intentional misconduct.

The investigation revealed manipulation of the state’s electronic property registration platform ‘e-Aasthi’. Ms. Manjula allegedly used Digital Property IDs (ePIDs) belonging to completely unrelated properties to carry out fraudulent mutations.

After the original owner of the land BH Gangaiah died in December 2024; his legal heirs requested the transfer of inheritance from the family tree, “Monat“this account” in 2025.

Instead of updating the original property records, the ARO allegedly illegally overwrote 76 existing ePIDs registered under completely different names like ‘BEECHBS’ and ‘Priyadarshini’ and illegally transferred them to Gangaiah’s heirs without valid title deeds.

The ARO is said to have actively circumvented the circular issued by the then BBMP Chief Commissioner prohibiting any unauthorized subdivision or distribution of Khatas property without proper administrative approval.

As a result, the GBA suspended Ms. Manjula under Rule 10 of the KCS Rules (CCA) 1957 pending an inquiry by the Department. In addition, the GBA directed its revenue team to approach the local police station and file a complaint under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 318 (cheating), 338 (forgery) and sections dealing with the offense of breach of trust by a public servant as well as criminal conspiracy.

Published – 23 Jun 2026 23:07 IST