Former Belur MLA Lingesh held in land allotment scam

Hassan (Karnataka), Senior JD(S) leader and former MLA K S Lingesh was arrested in connection with a 2023 case pertaining to the alleged land allotment scam under the Bagair Hukum scheme, police said on Saturday.

Lingesh was taken into custody on Friday along with several others, including former revenue inspectors, tehsildars and village accountants, they said.

The case stems from a complaint filed in 2023 by a social activist from Kolar, who alleged that government land was illegally allotted when Lingesh was serving as president of the Belur Taluk Bagair Hukum Committee, police said.


Based on the complaint, Belur police registered a case against Lingesh and other committee members. The investigation was later transferred to the CID in 2024.

According to the complaint, about 2,750 acres of government land were allegedly allotted to 1,430 ineligible or bogus beneficiaries using fake documents.

Lingesh and the other accused had approached the High Court seeking to quash the case, but their plea was rejected, with the court directing that the investigation continue.

Subsequently, a Special Court for People's Representatives also dismissed Lingesh's anticipatory bail plea.