Belagavi, 14 Jan

The Karnataka Lokayukta has taken suo motu cognisance and has registered a case against four government officials for allegedly creating and certifying a false death certificate of a farmer who is very much alive.

The farmer, Irappa Nagappa Abbai, 53, of Sutagatti village in Savadatti taluk, was officially declared dead in government records in 2021, despite being alive. Based on this erroneous entry, a death certificate was issued in his name, resulting in him being denied benefits of government welfare schemes.

After media reports exposed the matter, Upa (deputy) Lokayukta Justice Veerappa ordered registration of a case against Neela Muragod, Village Accountant, Sutagatti, RS Patil, Revenue Inspector, Muragod Circle, Mallikarjun Heggannavar, Tahsildar, Savadatti and Praveen Jain, Sub-Divisional Officer, Bailhongal.

Justice Veerappa said the Lokayukta initiated proceedings after the allegations were found to be true. Meanwhile, Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan suspended Neela Muragod, who entered Irappa’s name as dead in official records.

The Lokayukta has begun a detailed probe to fix responsibility for what has been termed a serious administrative failure