Bangalore: Bangalore: Three days after CNN-IBN CNN-IBN's Special Investigation Team exposed how forest land near Bangalore was being sold off illegally, the Lokayukta - Karnataka government's anti-corruption cell - has decided to take action.
The scam involved several government officials and the Lokayukta is now conducting an independent inquiry.
Says Up-Lokayukta, Patri Baswana Gowda, "The Lokayukat will conduct an independent inquiry. We have asked for papers from the revenue department and based on that investigation, action will be taken against all government officials involved in the scam. The IPS officer pointed out in the news report will also not be spared, if during the course of our investigations, his role is established."
On Thursday, Karnataka Police also arrested 10 persons for making fake documents for selling the 343 acres of forestland in Turahalli.
A sub-registrar in Kengeri has been suspended for registering the sale deed of the fraud deal.
The expose showed that the Turahalli reserve forest, which belongs to the Department of Forests and Environment, was being sold off by real estate company Sonys Buildlines for Rs 800 crore.
CNN-IBN's Special Investigation Team sent a representative posing as a buyer. On hidden camera, the scamsters said eminent politicians and officials in the Karnataka Government backed them.
Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, himself in the news for alleged land scams, had refused to comment.
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