Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Corporator N.R. Ramesh on Tuesday, 7 July alleged that K.M. Chetan, a former BBMP Corporator and close aide of Karnataka Minister for Bengaluru Development Krishna Byre Gowda, had illegally encroached upon 32 guntas of Union government land in Bengaluru belonging to the Ministry of Power — land registered in the name of President Droupadi Murmu. Ramesh demanded a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe and accused the state government of inaction despite court orders and repeated appeals from Union officials.

The Alleged Encroachment

Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Ramesh identified the disputed plot as Survey number 17/1 at Kodigehalli village in Yelahanka Hobli, Bengaluru North taluk, falling within the Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency — the seat represented by Minister Krishna Byre Gowda himself.

According to Ramesh, Chairman Club — also known as Chairman's Resorts — legitimately owns 1.11 acres in adjacent Survey number 14/1. However, he alleged that the club had illegally extended its compound wall to enclose the neighbouring 32-gunta parcel owned by the Ministry of Power, bringing its total occupied area to approximately 2.1 acres. The encroached portion, he claimed, has reportedly been converted into an open dining area and parking space for the club.

The disputed land forms part of a 3.04-acre property where residential quarters of the Southern Regional Power Committee (SRPC) are located. Ramesh valued the allegedly encroached land at more than ₹100 crore.

Who Is Named and What Is Alleged

Ramesh named K.M. Chetan — current President of Chairman Club and former BBMP Corporator from Kodigehalli Ward (2015–2020) — and his father, former club President N. Manjunath, as being responsible for the alleged encroachment. He claimed the father and son had occupied the land during their respective tenures as Presidents of the club.

Complaints have reportedly been lodged before the Karnataka Lokayukta against Chetan, Manjunath, and certain BBMP officials, alleging government land encroachment, forgery, and cheating. Ramesh alleged that the illegal occupation has persisted for nearly 18 years, despite complaints filed before investigating agencies and courts.

Union Government's Repeated Attempts to Reclaim Land

Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Power, had written to Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on 22 December 2025, requesting immediate action to remove the alleged encroachment in compliance with court orders, according to Ramesh. Subsequently, on 11 May 2026, the Ministry's Superintending Engineer wrote to the Assistant Director of Land Records in Yelahanka seeking an early survey of the property — but no action reportedly followed.

Ramesh further alleged that when Ministry of Power officials attempted to reclaim the land, supporters of Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and K.M. Chetan gathered at the site, threatened the officials, and obstructed them from performing their duties. He also alleged that local police failed to assist the Union government officials during these attempts.

Political Demand and Government Response

Ramesh urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to hand over the alleged 'Union government land encroachment scam' to the CID for a comprehensive investigation. He argued that multiple court judgments had affirmed the Ministry of Power's ownership of the land, yet the Karnataka government had failed to initiate any action to reclaim the property.

There was no immediate response from Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, K.M. Chetan, or Chairman Club regarding the allegations at the time of reporting. The matter is likely to intensify political friction between the ruling Congress and the BJP ahead of the next electoral cycle.