The alleged scam involves getting ‘double compensation’ for land in collusion with KIADB and bank officials.
| Photo Credit: File photo
The Bengaluru zonal office authorities of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) have arrested another person in connection with the ‘double compensation’ scam in the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), Dharwad. A court has remanded the accused to the custody of ED for further interrogation.
Earlier, ED had arrested two persons in connection with the case in 2024, including the mastermind V.D. Sajjan, a retired Special Land Acquisition Officer, Dharwad. Mr. Sajjan is accused of getting ‘double compensation’ released for land acquired in collusion with KIADB and bank officials.
According to the ED, the accused Ravi Yallappa Kurbett was arrested on July 8. He was produced before the Third Additional District and Sessions Judge (PMLA) at Mangaluru on July 9. The court granted ED custody of the arrested person for seven days.
ED stated that the evidence and documents collected during the course of the investigation in the case against V.D. Sajjan and others, under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, had indicated the active involvement of Ravi Yallappa Kurbett.
The investigation has revealed an ingenious modus operandi used by the accused persons to fraudulently claim and withdraw double compensation from KIABD in the name of persons who had already received compensation, or who had already passed away.
Ravi Yallappa Kurbett played an instrumental role in this entire process. He has been a major beneficiary of POC (Proceeds of Crime) generated in the scam, and has utilised the POC for purchase of immovable properties in his name and in the name of his relatives, and for personal consumption, the ED claimed.
The ED has attached properties amounting to around ₹13 crore in connection with the case.
Published – July 11, 2025 10:10 am IST
