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Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan has recommended the suspension of the Belagavi South Sub-Registrar in connection with an alleged land registration fraud involving fake documents and forged signatures.

Addressing reporters in Belagavi, the DC said the recommendation followed serious allegations related to the registration of property in the name of a person who had reportedly died 39 years ago.

According to officials, on April 24, 2026, around 9 acres and 33 guntas of land in Ankalagi village were registered in the name of Digambar Kulkarni, despite records indicating that he had passed away decades ago. Authorities also pointed out that a similar land transfer involving the same deceased individual had earlier been cancelled following court orders.

Following media reports on the issue, the Deputy Commissioner directed officials to file an FIR and initiate further inquiry into the matter. He noted that there appeared to be major lapses in document verification and safeguards at the sub-registrar’s office during the registration process.

The case has raised fresh concerns over verification procedures and the possibility of misuse of forged documents in land registrations.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sanctioned nearly ₹3 crore to rectify the dangerous Bedekollamath curve on NH-48 near Hirebagewadi Ghat, around 18 km from Belagavi, after repeated accidents at the spot raised serious safety concerns.

The move comes following sustained follow-up by Belagavi City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase, who had highlighted the risks posed by the stretch after more than 18 accidents, many of them fatal, were reported there, especially during the monsoon.

Acting on the concerns, experts from the Department of Civil Engineering at KLS Gogte Institute of Technology (GIT), Belagavi, conducted a technical inspection of the accident-prone stretch in July 2025. The inspection team included Prof. Archana Shagoti, Prof. Somanath Khot, and Prof. Kartik Kulkarni.

The GIT report pointed out several engineering flaws in the road geometry near the descending curve at Bedekollamath. According to the findings:

• The curve radius is only 220 metres, below the Indian Road Congress (IRC) standard of 230 metres for highways with an 80 kmph speed limit.
• The carriageway width narrows from nearly 11 metres to 10 metres along the curve and further reduces to 9.5 metres near the underpass, identified as the key accident hotspot.
• Overspeeding on the descending terrain and poor lane discipline were identified as major causes of accidents.

The report was submitted to NHAI after the survey was initiated at the request of the Police Commissioner.

Commissioner Borase stated that the steep gradient and sharp curvature make vehicle control difficult, particularly during rains, and welcomed NHAI’s decision to undertake corrective work.

Based on the recommendations made by the GIT team, NHAI is expected to redesign parts of the curve, improve road geometry, strengthen crash protection measures, and enforce stricter speed control mechanisms to reduce accidents on the stretch.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the Systematic Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across Karnataka, a large-scale exercise aimed at ensuring that every eligible citizen is included in the voter list and that errors, duplicate entries and outdated records are removed.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan inaugurated a divisional-level training workshop for officers involved in the SIR exercise at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi. Participants included Additional Deputy Commissioners, Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, tahsildars and technical staff from the Belagavi division.

Addressing the officials, the DC stressed that no eligible voter should be deprived of the right to vote and instructed all officers to strictly follow the ECI guidelines during the revision process.

He said the process of mapping electors in Belagavi North and South constituencies was nearly complete, but some persons were yet to participate. Officials were directed to immediately carry out door-to-door surveys to include those left out.

What is SIR?

SIR or Systematic Intensive Revision is a detailed verification of voter lists conducted by the Election Commission. During the process, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visit homes to verify voter details, update records and identify missing or incorrect entries.

Important Points Citizens Should Know

• BLOs will conduct door-to-door verification during the SIR exercise.
• Citizens are not required to hand over documents to BLO staff during the initial visit in normal cases.
• If there is any mismatch or missing information, the Election Registration Officer may later seek supporting documents.
• One adult member of the family can provide the details on behalf of the household during the verification process.
• The adult family member can also sign and receive the acknowledgment copy of the verification form.
• The exercise is aimed at ensuring that all eligible voters are included and that no genuine voter is left out.

SIR Timeline in Karnataka

• Preparation, Training & Printing: June 20 – June 29, 2026
• House-to-House Verification: June 30 – July 29, 2026
• Deadline for Rationalisation of Polling Stations: July 29, 2026
• Draft Publication of Voter List: August 5, 2026
• Claims & Objections Period: August 5 – September 4, 2026
• Notice & Disposal Phase: August 5 – October 3, 2026
• Final Publication of Electoral Roll: October 7, 2026

The Belagavi Urban Development Authority (BUDA) has floated tenders for a series of infrastructure development works across Belagavi Rural and South Assembly constituencies. The projects include road improvements, drainage works, LED street lighting, garden development, paving, and civic infrastructure upgrades in several residential layouts and colonies.

A majority of the works are concentrated in Hindalga, Samarth Colony, Sarathi Nagar Police Colony, Kuvempu Nagar, Ramteerth Nagar, Omkar Nagar, and Shahapur areas.

Major Works Tendered

Road and Drainage Works

• Construction of road from Basav Shoba House to Azad Society Garden in Azad Society and Sankalp Layout at Teachers Colony, Hindalga – ₹21.04 lakh
• Improvements to cross roads at Omkar Nagar – ₹18.54 lakh
• Improvements to 3rd Main Road and 2nd Cross at Sarathi Nagar Police Colony – ₹20.93 lakh
• Multiple road improvement works in Samarth Colony, Hindalga, ranging between ₹8.40 lakh and ₹21.05 lakh
• Construction of CC road and drain work at Papamala in Belagavi South constituency – ₹21.05 lakh
• Proposed asphalt road near Sai Baba Temple on Vadagaon-Angol Road – ₹21.13 lakh

Kuvempu Nagar Works

• Recarpeting of 2nd and 3rd Main Roads – ₹21.17 lakh
• Providing pavers from Plot No. 1215 to 1002 – ₹20.84 lakh
• Improvements to 2nd and 3rd Cross Roads – ₹21.18 lakh
• Road improvement from Plot No. 1215 to 958 – ₹21.12 lakh

Sarathi Nagar and Omkar Nagar

• Road improvement near Shivalaya Temple and 1st Cross – ₹21.12 lakh
• Road improvement from Plot No. 96 to Plot No. 84 and 3rd Cross – ₹20.70 lakh
• Road improvement from Plot No. 96 to Garden – ₹20.51 lakh
• Roads from Ganeshpur Main Road to KHB Colony, Omkar Nagar – ₹21.13 lakh

Ramteerth Nagar Lighting Projects

• LED street lights around Kanbargi Lake and Lakshmipuri Layout – ₹21.13 lakh
• LED lighting around KPTCL Substation – ₹21.04 lakh
• Centralized street light monitoring system – ₹21.14 lakh
• Shifting and fixing decorative lights near Shivalaya Temple – ₹21.12 lakh

Other Civic Works

• Development of garden at Scheme No. 47, Sahyadri Nagar (balance work) – ₹19.44 lakh
• Construction of entrance arch at Goodshed Road – ₹16.98 lakh
• Gazebo and repair works in Commissioner quarters – ₹21.01 lakh
• Gazebo and allied works in BUDA Colony, Angol near Sant Meera School – ₹20.93 lakh
• Railing and repair works at Shivacharitre, Shahapur – ₹20.59 lakh

The tender notifications indicate that the projects are aimed at improving internal roads, stormwater drainage, lighting infrastructure, and public amenities in expanding residential layouts across the city outskirts and adjoining areas.

Most of the individual works are estimated in the ₹18 lakh to ₹21 lakh range, suggesting phased civic improvement packages under BUDA’s urban development initiatives.

Tenders floated by BUDA

CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD FROM BASAV SHOBA HOUSE TO AZAD SOCIETY GARDEN IN AZAD SOCIETY AND SANKALP LAYOUT AT TEACHERS COLONY,HINDALAGA, – 2104984.1

IMPROVEMENTS TO CROSS ROADS AT OMKAR NAGAR IN BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 1854564.23

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROAD TO 3RD MAIN ROAD & 2ND CROSS ROAD AT SARATHI NAGAR POLICE COLONY BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2093385.18

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROADS FROM PLOT NO 83 TO OHT IN SAMARTH COLONY HINDALGA, BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2105981.99

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROADS FROM PLOT NO 10 TO 83 & PLOT NO 01 TO PLOT NO 10 IN SAMARTH COLONY HINDALGA, BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2105981.99

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROADS FROM PLOT NO 53 TO 35A & INFRONT OF SHIV GANESH TEMPLE IN SAMARTH COLONY HINDALGA, BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2105981.99

CONSTRUCTION OF CD, CC DRAIN AND PROVIDING PAVERS AT 4TH CROSS ROAD, SHIVNERI COLONY IN SARSWATHI NAGAR IN BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2114229.44

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROAD FROM PLOT NO 75 TO GARDEN IN SAMARTH COLONY HINDALGA, BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 840571.57

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROADS FROM PLOT NO 05 TO HOUSE NO 3492 IN SAMARTH COLONY HINDALGA, BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2071867.34

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROADS FROM PLOT NO 10 TO ELEMENT ARCHITECT OFFICE IN SAMARTH COLONY HINDALGA, BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2105981.99

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROADS INFRONT OF DHATT MANDIR IN SAMARTH COLONY HINDALGA, BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY  – 2040170.06

Development of Garden at Scheme No 47, R.S No 162, Sahyadri Nagar in Belagavi Rural Constituency (Balance Work) – 1944471.85

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROAD NEAR SHIVALAYA TEMPLE & 1ST CROSS ROAD AT SARATHI NAGAR POLICE COLONY BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2112452.28

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROAD FROM PLOT NO 96 TO PLOT NO 84 & 3RD CROSS ROAD AT SARATHI NAGAR POLICE COLONY BELAGAVI RURAL – 2070884.15

IMPROVEMENTS TO ROADS FROM GANESHPUR MAIN ROAD TO KHB COLONY OMKAR NAGAR IN BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY  – 2113487.01

RECARPETING IN KUVEMPU NAGAR 2nd & 3rd MAIN ROADS (FROM PLOT NO 1149 TO 981 & 1181 TO 969) BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY  – 2117347.72

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROAD FROM PLOT NO 22 TO PLOT NO 02 IN SAMARTH COLONY HINDLGA, BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2109630.14

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROAD FROM Plot no 84 SUNIL SUTGATTI HOUSE AT SARATHI NAGAR POLICE COLONY BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2050984.16

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROAD FROM PLOT NO 96 TO GARDEN AT SARATHI NAGAR POLICE COLONY BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2051235.02

PROVIDING PAVERS TO ROADS FROM PLOT NO 1215 TO 1002 IN KUVEMPU NAGAR BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2084221.61

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROADS IN KUVEMPU NAGAR 2nd & 3rd CROSS ROADS BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2118231.91

IMPROVEMENTS OF ROAD FROM PLOT NO 1215 TO 958 IN KUVEMPU NAGAR BELAGAVI RURAL CONSTITUENCY – 2112822.35

Providing & Fixing LED Street Lights at Sch No 35, 43 & 43A surrounding Kanbargi Lake, Lakshmipuri Layout at Ramteerth nagar Belagavi – 2113338.15

Providing and Fixing LED Street Lights at Sch No 35, 43 & 43A Surrounding KPTCL Substation at Ramteerth Nagar Belagavi – 2104916.1

Supply & Installation of Modular Panel Centralized control & Monitoring system for Existing Street Light Control Points at Ramteerth Nagar Belagavi – 2114637.79

Shifting & Fixing of decorative Lights near shivalaya Temple Ramteerth Nagar, Belagavi – 2112071.21

Providing Roofs gazibo and Other repair works in commissioner quarters in Belagavi – 2101585.23

Construction of C.C. Road & Drain work at Papamala in Belagavi South Constituency – 2105934.73

Proposed construction of Ashpalt road At Vadagoan Angol Road Near sai Baba Temple South constituency Belagavi – 2113303.49

Construction of Entrance Arch at Goodshed Road Belagavi Under South constituency- 1698900.29

Providing Railing & other repair work in Shivacharitre shahapur Belagavi South constituency – 2059880.52

Providing Railing & other repair work in Shivacharitre shahapur Belagavi South constituency – 2059880.52

Construction of Gazibo and other works in Scheme No 17 BUDA colony Angol Near Santameera school Belagavi South constituency – 2093035

The Shivam Associates investment scam case has taken a new turn with a farmer from Kagwad approaching the police alleging that he was cheated after investing money in the firm run by Shivanand Neelannavar.

Krishna Appanna Apraj lodged a complaint at Kagwad Police Station stating that he had invested nearly ₹5 lakh in Shivam Associates (ACCUMEN) after being assured of 36% annual returns.

According to the complaint, the promised returns were never paid and the invested amount was also not returned.

Police sources said this is the first case in which an investor himself has directly approached the police against the firm. Earlier, the investigation had begun based on findings from an official inquiry conducted by government authorities into the company’s operations.

Meanwhile, the case has now been handed over to the CID after investigators found that the alleged financial transactions exceeded ₹50 crore.

A CID team headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police Bheemashankar S. Guled has reached Belagavi and started further investigation into the matter. Local police officials are assisting the CID team in the probe.

Shivanand Neelannavar, who was arrested earlier in connection with the alleged scam, has already been remanded to police custody for 10 days by a local court.

Authorities suspect that Shivam Associates collected money from thousands of people across different regions by offering unusually high returns through unauthorised investment schemes.

The Karnataka Lokayukta on Tuesday carried out raids at several locations after registering a case against officials of the Karnataka Slum Development Board and a private contractor over alleged large-scale irregularities and fake billing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)–2022 in Ramdurg town of Belagavi district.

Simultaneous raids were conducted at the Slum Board office in Hindalga, Belagavi, the residence of retired assistant executive engineer Shambulingappa BS in Hubballi, the NPCC office in Bengaluru, and the houses of other accused persons including Girimallappa Jogur, Kiran Hosakoti and Rindanagouda Shekargouda Patil in Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts.

Lokayukta officials said several important documents were seized during the raids and further investigation is underway.

According to the preliminary investigation, officials allegedly joined hands with the contractor to create fake work bills for houses that were never built for beneficiaries in notified slum areas under the “Housing for All” scheme. These bills were reportedly processed through official channels and payments were released.

The accused include retired assistant executive engineer Shambulingappa BS, contractor Prasad NP of National Projects Construction Corporation Ltd, and other officials connected with the project.

Investigators also found major procedural lapses, including failure to conduct proper site inspections and absence of GPS-based photographic proof of completed works. Despite this, the works were shown as completed, leading to release of payments.

Records show that 13 partial bills were submitted between March 29, 2019 and June 12, 2023. Based on these bills, around ₹29.4 crore was released between April 2019 and November 2024.

Officials said materials worth around ₹6.1 crore were supplied to nearly 600 beneficiaries, while the remaining ₹23.3 crore is suspected to have been misappropriated.

The investigation into the alleged ₹4,500 crore Shivam Associates scam has now been officially handed over to the CID, with the agency intensifying its probe into the large-scale financial fraud case linked to thousands of investors in Belagavi and other states.

Shivanand Neelannavar, owner of Shivam Associates, has been remanded to 10 days CID custody by the 2nd Additional Sessions Court, Belagavi.

CID lawyers told the court that transactions involving several thousand crores and nearly 35,000 investors were under investigation. The agency sought custody of Neelannavar for detailed questioning, stating that he would be taken to the CID office in Bengaluru as part of the investigation.

During the hearing, the judge asked Neelannavar about his health condition, to which he replied that he suffers from blood pressure issues. The court assured him that proper medical arrangements and medicines would be provided.

Neelannavar reportedly told the court that “35,000 people do not need money, they need me,”.

In response, the judge observed that it is the government’s responsibility to protect innocent investors and noted that many people in similar financial fraud cases had taken money and disappeared. The court remarked that such laws were brought in after learning lessons from past financial scams.

The court later ordered that Neelannavar be handed over to CID custody for 10 days and directed officials to ensure his safety and proper care during custody.

There was also an emotional moment outside the courtroom when Shivanand Neelannavar reportedly broke down in tears after seeing his brother while being escorted out by officials.

The Shivam Associates case involves allegations of illegal deposit collection by promising unusually high returns. Authorities suspect thousands of people, including retired defence personnel, invested money in schemes linked to the firm. CID is now expected to investigate financial transactions, investor records, properties, and interstate money movement connected to the case.

The Karnataka government is reportedly exploring a land swap proposal with the Indian Air Force (IAF), under which a parcel of IAF land in Belagavi could be exchanged for forest land currently occupied by the Yelahanka Air Force Station runway near Bengaluru.

According to a report by The Print, nearly 160 acres of forest land is allegedly under the possession of the IAF at the Yelahanka Air Force Station, which houses one of the country’s premier air force training schools.

Government officials said the runway area, located along the route to Bengaluru International Airport, falls on forest land. In return for regularising this land, the state government has reportedly identified certain IAF-owned land in Belagavi as part of a possible exchange.

“A proposal has been discussed where alternate land belonging to the IAF in Belagavi could be transferred if both the Air Force and Forest Department agree,” a senior official was quoted as saying.

A joint survey has already been conducted by the Karnataka government and the IAF to determine the exact extent of the land involved.

Officials said that out of the nearly 2,000 acres occupied by the Yelahanka Air Force Station, around 159 acres of runway land is under dispute. The forest department claims that two separate land parcels measuring 132.03 acres and 27 acres are being used by the IAF.

However, sources indicate that the Air Force may be reluctant to part with any land in Belagavi, as it remains under active operational use and could involve security concerns.

The Karnataka government has also intensified efforts to recover forest land allegedly encroached upon by individuals and organisations across the state.

Jagadish Shettar chaired the Belagavi Aerodrome Advisory Committee meeting and reviewed the ongoing expansion and infrastructure works at Sambra Airport, with a strong focus on improving connectivity and speeding up pending development projects.

During the meeting, Shettar held discussions with senior Air Force officials regarding the transfer of around 15 to 16 acres of land currently under Air Force control, which is required for the construction of a parallel taxiway and to meet mandatory DGCA safety norms. Officials informed the committee that a consolidated proposal for nearly 32 acres has already been forwarded by the district administration to the Karnataka government and is awaiting approval.

The MP also urged airline operators, including IndiGo and Star Air, to introduce new flights from Belagavi to cities such as Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Jodhpur. The airline representatives reportedly responded positively to the request. Members also sought the restart of discontinued routes from Belagavi Airport.

To improve passenger convenience, the committee discussed introducing AC bus services between Belagavi Airport and the railway station based on flight timings, similar to services recently started at Hubballi Airport. The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation officials were instructed to take immediate action on the proposal.

The meeting also discussed the need for prepaid taxi and car rental services at the airport. Airline officials additionally requested the establishment of a police outpost within the airport premises to improve security and law-and-order coordination. Senior police officers present were asked to initiate the necessary process.

Shettar also reviewed the proposal for a four-lane road connecting Belagavi city to Sambra Airport to reduce congestion and improve accessibility. He stated that discussions would be held with Public Works Department engineers to expedite the project.

Before the meeting, the MP, along with committee members, inspected the ongoing Terminal-2 construction works at the airport. Officials informed the committee that the new terminal project has achieved around 87 per cent physical progress and is expected to be completed by June 2026.

The new terminal, being built at a cost of around Rs 223 crore, will feature modern passenger facilities with a handling capacity of approximately 2,400 passengers at a time, split equally between arrivals and departures.

Parallel works on apron expansion and new taxi links are also underway at an estimated cost of Rs 23 crore. Once completed, aircraft parking capacity at the airport will increase from the current three bays to 12 bays, suitable for larger aircraft such as the Airbus A321.

The airport expansion project also includes four passenger boarding bridges, 14 check-in counters, two arrival conveyor belts and installation of high mast lighting systems.

Committee members also reiterated the long-term demand to upgrade Belagavi Airport for international operations and develop a dedicated cargo terminal facility, as the existing cargo handling system currently operates from the passenger terminal with several operational limitations.

• Discussions were held with Air Force officials regarding transfer of 15–16 acres of land required for:
  • Parallel taxiway construction
  • Runway safety compliance as per DGCA norms
• A consolidated proposal for nearly 32 acres has already been sent by the district administration to the Karnataka government for approval.
• Airline operators including IndiGo and Star Air were requested to start new flights from Belagavi to:
  • Pune
  • Chennai
  • Ahmedabad
  • Jodhpur
  • Other major cities
• Members also demanded restarting discontinued flight routes from Belagavi Airport.
• Proposal discussed for AC bus service between:
  • Belagavi Airport
  • Belagavi Railway Station
    based on flight timings.
• NWKRTC officials were instructed to initiate airport bus services immediately.
• Demand raised for:
  • Prepaid taxi services
  • Car rental facilities at the airport
• Airline officials requested establishment of a police outpost inside airport premises for better security and law-and-order management.
• Shettar reviewed the proposed four-lane road project connecting Belagavi city to Sambra Airport to ease traffic congestion.
• Committee members inspected the ongoing Terminal-2 construction works before the meeting.
• Terminal-2 project status:
  • Around 87% physical progress completed
  • Expected completion by June 2026
  • Estimated cost: Rs 223 crore
• New terminal capacity:
  • Around 2,400 passengers at a time
  • 1,200 arrivals and 1,200 departures
• Apron expansion and new taxi link works are progressing simultaneously.
• Aircraft parking capacity will increase:
  • From 3 bays to 12 bays
  • Suitable for larger aircraft including Airbus A321
• Additional infrastructure being installed:
  • 4 passenger boarding bridges
  • 14 check-in counters
  • 2 arrival conveyor belts
  • High mast lighting systems
• Members reiterated demand for:
  • International airport status for Belagavi
  • Dedicated cargo terminal facility at the airport