The recent exercise of regularising unauthorised occupation of government land in Karnataka has brought to light a staggering revelation—around 25 lakh properties across the state have multiple owners, according to the latest data from the Revenue Department. This discovery was made during a re-survey and digitisation drive of property records, aimed at modernising the state's land ownership system and clearing discrepancies in land documents.
The issue dates back to the 1970s, when the government began granting and gifting land to individuals and organisations. This practice continued until the early 2000s, after which it was halted. However, the legacy of these land grants has led to widespread confusion, with many properties undergoing subdivision over time, further complicating ownership records.
According to department officials, the core problem stems from a lack of proper documentation. In some cases, land was handed over without updating records or creating detailed site measurements and ownership sketches. Hissa lands—subdivided land parcels—are particularly problematic, as their ownership has changed hands multiple times without proper documentation, leading to disputes.
Moreover, it has been revealed that the multiple ownership issue often surfaces only during litigation when individuals attempt to prove ownership of a particular land parcel. In many cases, the original documents no longer exist or are incomplete, making it difficult for officials to verify ownership claims.
As of now, Karnataka has 1.8 crore land records, with 1.1 crore already digitised by the Department of Survey, Settlement, and Land Records. The remaining 70 lakh records are being digitised at a rapid pace, with a target of completion within 10 months. This process is critical to ensuring that the state's land records are up-to-date, accurate, and compatible with Central government schemes.
In addition to digitisation, the department is working to geo-reference each property and assign a Unified Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), which will serve as a unique identifier for each parcel of land. This will help streamline land transactions and ensure transparency in land ownership.
The history of these land records dates back to 1803-1870, when the first land surveys were conducted by the British. However, over time, many landowners have lost proof of ownership or never had proper documentation to begin with. The ongoing exercise by the Revenue Department aims to resolve these issues and create a transparent and accountable land ownership system for the future.
Disclaimer:
The information in this blog post is based on public records and reports from The New Indian Express. Eco Space Realtors is not responsible for any inaccuracies in land ownership records or disputes arising from this information. We recommend consulting legal experts or property verification services before making any real estate decisions.
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