The High Court on Monday directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to verify the signature of former Mysore Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar on a general power of attorney (GPA) gifting a tank bund, Doddkere, to build houses.
The area is prime real estate in the heart of Mysore opposite the Mysore Palace. The annual Mysore Dasara exhibition is held there.
Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh passed the verification order on a petition filed by Doddakere Tank Bund Site Owners Welfare and Development Association, claiming that Wadiyar, father of former MP Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadiyar, had gifted them the 11.38-acre tank bund. This is disputed by the district administration on the grounds that no such records exist.
Justice Ramesh observed in the order: “Since the petitioners dispute this position and contend that the said land has been gifted to them by the then Maharaja of Mysore, the government advocate is directed to write a letter to the CID regarding the authenticity of the alleged power of attorney/s said to have been executed by the then Mysore Maharaja in favour of the petitioners and their predecessors.’’
The judge added: “Since a similar power of attorney/s executed have been challenged before various courts, including this one, and the manner in which power of attorney has been drafted, it creates a suspicion whether the then Maharaja, through power of attorney/s, had gifted any lands.” The judge said it is for the CID to secure information regarding the power of attorney executed by Wadiyar.
“The CID is to submit a report as to whether the power of attorney/s executed is an authentic one or a creation of fraud and also regarding the developments/progress by August 5.’’
The various site owners who allegedly got registered sale deeds signed by Wadiyar in 1972-73, formed themselves into an Association. They intended to from a layout in the area measuring 11.38 acres. They had approached the authority then for sanction plan of the layout and on such sanction, it is stated, development activities have also been undertaken.
The Mysore Assistant Commissioner in his letter dated February 25, 2009, to the Deputy Commissioner has said: “With respect to 11.38 acres of land in Sy.no. 1 there are no records indicating that the land has been transferred to third parties or to any power of attorney holder of the then Maharaja of Mysore.’’ The association has challenged this before the HC.