Former MLA Granted Bail in Rs 750 Crore Land Scam: Karnataka HC

Granting major relief to a former legislator accused of illegally distributing government land worth hundreds of crores, the Karnataka High Court has ordered his release on regular bail citing completion of document seizure by investigating agencies.

A single-judge bench comprising Justice M. Nagaprasanna allowed the criminal petition filed by former MLA Lingesh K S, who was arrested in connection with the alleged illegal regularization and allotment of over 2,750 acres of government land during his tenure as Chairman of the Bagair Hukum Committee.

Court Observations and Directions

While addressing the merits of the bail plea, the Court recognized that the entire set of relevant records had already been seized and taken into custody by the Crime Investigation Department (CID). Observing that co-accused persons in the same proceedings had already been granted bail or anticipatory bail, the Court held that the petitioner's further custodial interrogation was no longer required.

The Court, in its reasoning, observed: "The projection is that, the petitioner has undergone open heart surgery and his health would deteriorate if he is in the prison. That may not be the circumstance that would weigh for grant of bail. But, the issue is, the investigation is in progress and all the documents are admittedly seized and are in the custody of the CID. The custody of the petitioner would not be required for any further interrogation."

The Court has following directions:

"(i) Criminal petition is allowed.
(ii) Petitioner is granted bail on the following conditions:
(a) The petitioner shall furnish a personal bond for a sum of ₹2,00,000/- (Rupees two lakhs only) with one solvent surety for the likesum to the satisfaction of the Trial Court;
(b) The petitioner shall be regular in appearing before the Court on every date of hearing as also when called upon to do so by the Trial Court;
(c) The petitioner shall not tamper with evidence or cause any threat to any of the prosecution witness(s) in any manner;
(d) The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer as and when called and submit all documents and details as may be called upon by the Investigating Officer;
(e) The petitioner shall not leave the jurisdiction of the Trial Court without prior permission;
(f) In the event of violation of any of the above terms, this bail shall stand automatically cancelled."

Background

The dispute originates from allegations that during his tenure as an MLA and Chairman of the Bagair Hukum Committee between 2018 and 2023, the petitioner illegally regularized 2,759 acres of government land worth approximately Rs 750 crores to 1,430 ineligible beneficiaries using forged and fictitious records in violation of Section 94A of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964.

An enquiry initiated by revenue officials highlighted systemic irregularities, including missing original applications under Form 53, lack of spot inspections by Tahsildars, and land grants made to non-residents or ineligible applicants. Following a private complaint under Section 156(3) of the Cr.P.C. and subsequent dismissal of a quashing petition in Criminal Petition No.5030 of 2023 relying on KAPTAN SINGH v. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH ( "(2021) 9 SCC 35": 2021 CaseBase(SC) 1392), criminal law was set in motion under Sections 468, 464, 465, 471, 409, 420, and 120B of the IPC.

The petitioner was arrested and placed in judicial custody. After his regular bail petition was rejected by the LXXXI Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, Bengaluru, he approached the High Court under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023 seeking regular bail.

Case Details:
Case No.: Criminal Petition No. 9852 of 2026
Case Title: Sri Lingesh K S v. The State of Karnataka
Appearances:
For the Petitioner(s): Sri Aruna Shyam M, Senior Advocate for Sri Dilip Kumar Gowda R, Advocate
For the Respondent(s): Sri B.N. Jagadeesha, SPP-I

Source: 2026 CaseBase(KAR) 10184