The wife of an IPS officer in Kerala has been asked to vacate her property spanning nearly 151 acres, that was deemed an “encroachment,” in a reserve forest in Kodagu.
On October 27, the Karnataka Forest Department issued an eviction notice to Daisy Jacob, wife of Jacob Thomas, who is the Chief of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in Kerala.
She has been given a month’s time to vacate the property that encompasses more than 151 acres of coffee, rubber and pepper plantations in the notified areas of the Pattighat Reserve Forest near Bhagamandala in Kodagu.
According to officials, she bought the land in 1991, and a notice was sent to Ms. Daisy Jacob in 1999. She replied in 2003, claiming she had purchased the land and possessed the sale deed. “However, we cross-checked with the records and found that the transactions were not legal under the forest laws,” said V. Yedukondalu, Madikeri Deputy Conservator of Forests.
‘Claims unacceptable’
The reserve forest had been notified by the Coorg Commissioner in 1901 and, according to the procedure then, claims of landowners were heard before the Forest Settlement-officer.
A map of the reserve forests, title deeds were made, while names of landowners were included in the notification issued.
“However, the title deeds of the land purchased by Ms. Jacob were not included in this list. Her claims cannot be accepted under the forest laws,” said Mr. Yedukondalu.
It was only last month that the forest officials felt they had enough evidence to declare the land parcel an “encroachment.”
As per the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963, Ms. Daisy can appeal before the Chief Conservator of Forests, Kodagu, or approach the High Court.
On October 27, the Karnataka Forest Department issued an eviction notice to Daisy Jacob, wife of Jacob Thomas, who is the Chief of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in Kerala.
She has been given a month’s time to vacate the property that encompasses more than 151 acres of coffee, rubber and pepper plantations in the notified areas of the Pattighat Reserve Forest near Bhagamandala in Kodagu.
According to officials, she bought the land in 1991, and a notice was sent to Ms. Daisy Jacob in 1999. She replied in 2003, claiming she had purchased the land and possessed the sale deed. “However, we cross-checked with the records and found that the transactions were not legal under the forest laws,” said V. Yedukondalu, Madikeri Deputy Conservator of Forests.
‘Claims unacceptable’
The reserve forest had been notified by the Coorg Commissioner in 1901 and, according to the procedure then, claims of landowners were heard before the Forest Settlement-officer.
A map of the reserve forests, title deeds were made, while names of landowners were included in the notification issued.
“However, the title deeds of the land purchased by Ms. Jacob were not included in this list. Her claims cannot be accepted under the forest laws,” said Mr. Yedukondalu.
It was only last month that the forest officials felt they had enough evidence to declare the land parcel an “encroachment.”
As per the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963, Ms. Daisy can appeal before the Chief Conservator of Forests, Kodagu, or approach the High Court.