Says police have been informed but no FIR has been registered as yet
The 77th pontiff of Kavale Math Shri Shri Shivanand Swami and Sharad Keshkamat during the news conference in Khanapur.
BELAGAVI
Shri Shri Shivanand Swami, the 77th pontiff of Kavale Math which has its roots in Goa, on Tuesday made serious allegations regarding encroachment on land owned by the Math.
Addressing a news conference in Khanapur, the Swamiji stated that land which belongs to Kavale Math was leased in 1921 to a company.
He explained that at the time, the company’s directors were local residents of Khanapur, but over the years, management changes brought in external individuals.
He further said that after the lease expired in 1960, the Math sought the return of the land. As it was not handed back, a legal battle ensued.
“In 1970, a compromise decree was passed in a civil court, making it mandatory to return the land to the Math after December 31, 2017,” Swamiji noted.
According to him, the land was officially handed back to the Math on February 6, 2021, and agricultural and horticultural activities are currently being carried out there.
However, alleging fresh encroachment despite court directives, Swamiji claimed that about 50-60 people from Hubballi illegally entered their property, and put up boards displaying their names, which is a direct challenge to law and order.
Raising concerns over police inaction, Swamiji said that local authorities and the district Superintendent of Police had been informed, but no FIR has been registered so far.
“This raises serious doubts about the functioning of the police administration,” he added.
He also alleged that certain individuals were attempting to exert pressure on government machinery through political influence by using general power of attorney obtained from the company.
The Swamiji warned that the issue has caused unrest among devotees of Kavale Math across the country, and many may gather in Khanapur seeking justice.
“We expect appropriate action from the court, administration, and police,” he said.
Appealing for calm, he urged people to maintain peace and patience while pursuing justice through lawful means.
Among those present at the press conference were Sharad Keshkamat, Adv Pradyumna Bhate, Adv Padma Halyali, Nilesh Borkar, Subhash Deshpande, and Prakash Deshpande.
