Elderly Man Arrested in Belagavi for Impersonating Deceased Property Owner in Land Sale
Market Police Station officers have arrested a 75-year-old man on allegations of impersonation and fraud connected to an illegal land transaction in Belagavi. The accused reportedly posed as a deceased property owner to execute an agreement to sell land that had originally been purchased decades ago by another family.
What Happened
According to law enforcement authorities, the arrested individual has been identified as Ramachandra Venkatesh Deshpande, aged 75, residing in Patil Galli, Kotabagi, located in Hukkeri taluk. The arrest followed a formal complaint lodged by 29-year-old Srishail Dattatrey Guruv, a resident of Topinakatti village.
Police stated that the complainant’s grandfather, Mashanu Jayappa Gurav, alongside his brothers, had legally acquired 7 acres and 32 guntas of land situated in Badala Ankalgi village in 1998 from Chidambar Sripad Kulkarni and Ramesh Digambar Kulkarni.
Years following the demise of the original property owner, the accused allegedly claimed to be the deceased owner and initiated a sale transaction to another party. To facilitate the fraudulent transfer, Ramachandra Deshpande visited the Belagavi sub-registrar’s office, where he posed for a photograph on the official webcam, provided his thumb impressions, and entered into an agreement to sell the land to a third party, who is also named as an accused buyer in the case.
Key Highlights
- Accused Arrested: 75-year-old Ramachandra Venkatesh Deshpande of Kotabagi, Hukkeri taluk, was apprehended by Market Police.
- Land Details: The dispute involves 7 acres and 32 guntas of land in Badala Ankalgi village, originally bought by the complainant’s family in 1998.
- Method of Fraud: The accused allegedly impersonated a deceased previous owner at the Belagavi sub-registrar’s office using webcam photos and biometric thumbprints to execute a sale agreement.
- Investigation Details: The probe was carried out by a team led by Inspector J.M. Kamirchi, Sub-Inspector H.L. Kerur, and supporting personnel.
- Co-Accused: Authorities are actively searching for Vinod Deshpande and other individuals implicated in the transaction.
Why This Matters
The incident highlights enforcement action against identity fraud and unlawful land transfers at government registration offices, demonstrating the verification measures and legal steps taken when fraudulent property claims are reported by rightful owners.
What to Watch Next
Police operations are ongoing to trace and apprehend Vinod Deshpande along with other individuals connected to the alleged fraudulent transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who filed the police complaint in this case?
The case was registered following a complaint by Srishail Dattatrey Guruv, 29, a resident of Topinakatti village whose grandfather and grand-uncles bought the land in 1998.
How was the alleged impersonation carried out?
Police reported that the accused visited the Belagavi sub-registrar’s office, provided thumb impressions, and had his picture taken via the office webcam while claiming to be the deceased original owner.
Which police team handled the case?
The investigation was led by Inspector J.M. Kamirchi and Sub-Inspector H.L. Kerur, under the oversight of Police Commissioner Borase Bhushan Gulabrao and Deputy Commissioners of Police Narayan Baramani and Niranjan Raje Urs.
Source: The Hindu