Plaint lodged against pontiff

BANGALORE: A private complaint was registered in the Lokayukta court on Thursday against Bala Gangadharanatha Swamiji, Peetadhipathi (senior pontiff) of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt, alleging that he and a few others had forged entries to temple properties of 16 acres and 10 guntas of land in Hulimavu village, to their personal names.Former councillor of Huliumavu village and trustee and secretary of Sri Ramalingeshwara Swami Temple Trust (SRSTT), an ancient temple located in the same village, is the complainant. The state government had granted 15 acres and 31 guntas to SRSTT in 1985 to the ancient temple. However, BGS and other accused are said to have conspired to negotiate the trust property fabricating the government order. They have been accused of manipulating the Kannada version of the grant order and  translated it into English by inserting the word “education” to obtain land for education purpose.  They have been accused of committing an offence under various sections of IPC and section 13 (1) (d) and 13 (2) of  Prevention of Corruption Act. BBMP Commissioner Shankarlinge Gowda, BWssB Chairman Gourav Gupta, Veerabhadraiah and 22 government officials among others are named in the list of accused. The judge posted the case for further hearing to May 29.