Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Activist Accuses ASI of Rs 1 Crore Scam in Hampi
An activist named D. Dhananjaya has accused officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Hampi of a big financial scam.
He says they sold fruits like coconuts from protected land without following the proper rules for 10 years.
This might have cost the government around Rs 1 crore.
The activist found out by asking for information under the RTI Act.
The ASI says they did a proper sale in 2023, but no one bid.
The activist wants a big investigation to find out what really happened and to protect the money and the famous Hampi heritage site.
Activist D. Dhananjaya alleges ASI officials misappropriated Rs 1 crore by selling fruits from protected Hampi land without tenders.
The issue surfaced after an RTI query revealed no tender records for the sale of coconuts between 2013 and 2023.
Discrepancies in the number of trees (2,200 vs. 894 coconut trees) suggest possible record manipulation and revenue diversion.
A 2023 tender generated Rs 3.75 lakh, but no tenders were conducted in the previous decade, allegedly causing a significant financial loss.
The activist demands a high-level probe to investigate the financial irregularities and ensure accountability for the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Who
- Activist D. Dhananjaya and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials
- What
- Alleged financial irregularities and misappropriation of funds from the sale of fruits from protected heritage land
- When
- Between 2013 and 2023, with a tender conducted in 2023
- Where
- Hampi, Karnataka, India
- Why
- To highlight alleged violations of norms and demand a high-level probe into the financial irregularities
- Location
- Hampi, Karnataka, India
- Alleged Scam Amount
- Rs 1 crore
- Time Period
- 2013-2023
- Trees Involved
- Coconut, mango, sapota, tamarind
- Tender Amount (2023)
- Rs 3.75 lakh
- Land Acquired
- 234 acres
- Activist Name
- D. Dhananjaya
- UNESCO Status
- World Heritage Site