Lucky Ali alleges encroachment by kin of Karnataka IAS officer; controversy turns political

The singer also alleged that Sindhuri — currently the commissioner for Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments — was misusing state resources for “personal gain”.

Responding to Ali’s allegations, Sindhuri deemed them false and baseless, and also accused the singer of maligning her name.

“I plan to take all legal action,” the IAS officer said in a statement, insisting that her name had been “unduly” dragged into the controversy.

What is the case all about?

Lucky Ali on Sunday wrote to the DG-IGP of Karnataka, Praveen Sood, alleging that his farmland — located in Kenchenahalli in Yelahanka — was being “encroached upon” by Sudhir Reddy and his brother Madhusudhan Reddy, whom he deemed “Bengaluru Land Mafia”.

“Sudhir Reddy, with the help of his wife who is an IAS officer by the name Rohini Sindhuri are misusing state resources for their personal gain,” he alleged.

Ali alleged that Reddy forcibly and illegally entered his farm and was refusing to show any relevant documents.

“My legal counsel is informing me that this is totally illegal, and they don’t have the court order to come inside the property as we are in possession, and living there since the past 50 years,” Ali wrote in his complaint.

The allegations went viral after he posted them on social media.

Ali also stated that he wanted to meet the state police chief before he left for Dubai. However, the DG-IGP was unavailable at that time, prompting Ali to file a complaint with the jurisdictional ACP.

“I have not had any positive response as of yet. My family and small children are alone on the farm. I am getting no help from the local police, who are in fact supporting the encroachers and are indifferent to our situation and the legal status of our land,” Ali alleged.

Musician and Singer Lucky Ali

He also requested the state police top brass to help him, alleging that the Reddy brothers were trying to “prove a false possession” before a final court hearing that is coming up on 7 December.

The singer then posted his complaint with the police chief on his Facebook account, which went viral on social media on Sunday.

Sindhuri’s kin retort

Soon after Lucky Ali’s post went viral on social media, Madusudhan Reddy deemed the allegations false.

In a video statement, Reddy said that his father Narayan Reddy had purchased the piece of land in 2012.

“The three-acre land was purchased from one Mansoor Ali, brother of Maqsood Ali alias Lucky Ali, and since then he (Lucky Ali) has been troubling us in various ways,” Reddy said.

In 2016, Reddy managed to get a court injunction against Lucky Ali in favour on the issue.

“Three months ago, my father passed away. I came back from the United States. According to my mother’s wish, when we went to see our property, he (Maqsood Ali) threatened me and my mother with loaded guns and goons,” said Reddy.

“Soon after that incident, I filed a police complaint against Maqsood Ali at the Yelahanka New Town Police Station, and I am also going ahead with contempt of court proceedings,” he added in the video.

Based on Madhusudhan’s complaint, an FIR was registered against Maqsood Ali and Masood Ali by the Yelahanka New Town police for criminal trespass and assault.

Sindhuri’s husband rejects allegations

In a statement, Rohini Sindhuri’s husband Sudhir Reddy said that he was the owner of the three acres of converted land in Survey No 25, 26, 27 and 30 of the Vasudevapura Village in Yelahanka.

He reinforced the claim that his family purchased the land in 2012 from Mansoor Ali.

“As Lucky Ali attempted in the past as well to illegally interfere with the possession of the said land, an original suit was filed against him,” Sudhir Reddy said, pointing to the temporary injunction.

“The actions of Lucky Ali are not only in contempt of the court order but also a crime. The present actions of Lucky Ali for posting lies on social media makes him fully liable for civil and criminal defamation,” said Sudhir Reddy, adding that it was laughable to call him and his family “land mafia”.

“Rohini Sindhuri, who is an IAS officer, has nothing to do with this case. My father purchased the land from his (Lucky Ali’s) brother, and I have all the documents including the sale deed. Just because he is a celebrity, he is attempting to get public sympathy and building a false narrative against me and my family members,” Madhusudhan Reddy said.

Congress uses allegations to target BJP government. 

With the singer’s post getting traction online, Congress leader Priyank Kharge took a dig at Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on the state of the executive in Karnataka, reiterating charges of corruption.

. @CMofKarnataka
renowned singer, Lucky Ali, is making a very serious allegation on the apathy of the system & deep rooted corruption in the executive in Karnataka.
How much more should image of State suffer because of your Govt’s greed?https://t.co/KbUp5JzGFI#40PercentSarkara pic.twitter.com/NsxribTfyy

— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) December 5, 2022

Meanwhile, the state’s Home Minister Araga Jnanendra told reporters on Monday that he would direct the DG-IGP to order an inquiry into the matter and submit a report.