Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Karnataka Minister Denies Land Grab Allegations
A minister in Karnataka, India, has been accused by the opposition party of taking over government land illegally.
The minister, Krishna Byre Gowda, said in the state assembly that his family has legally owned the land for a long time.
He explained that the land was originally owned by the Mysore royal family and was sold to his grandfather in 1959.
The minister invited anyone to check the land and said no government land was taken over.
The opposition party wants an investigation and the minister's resignation, but he says he has done nothing wrong.
Karnataka Minister Krishna Byre Gowda denied allegations of encroaching 21 acres of government land in Garudanapalya village.
The BJP accused Gowda of grabbing land originally marked as a lake and burial ground, demanding an inquiry and his resignation.
Gowda traced the land's history, stating it was owned by the Mysore royal family and sold to his grandfather in 1959.
He asserted that his family's ownership is legally established and no government land was encroached upon.
Gowda invited inspections of the site, assuring full cooperation and transparency.
- Who
- Karnataka Minister Krishna Byre Gowda
- What
- Denial of land grab allegations and explanation of land ownership
- When
- December 19, 2023
- Where
- Karnataka Assembly, Belagavi, Karnataka
- Why
- To clear his name from allegations of encroaching government land
- Minister Involved
- Krishna Byre Gowda
- Location
- Garudanapalya village, Kolar taluk, Karnataka
- Allegation
- Encroachment of 21 acres of government land
- Land History
- Originally owned by Mysore royal family, sold in 1959
- Current Land Use
- Agricultural cultivation by Gowda's family
- Opposition Demand
- Inquiry and resignation of the minister
- Minister's Response
- Legal ownership established, no encroachment