Court Receiver Condemns Illegal Demolition of Private Property by Puttur MLA and Supporters

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Court Receiver Dr. Aravinda Rao Kedige has strongly condemned the illegal trespassing and partial demolition of a private building located opposite the Women’s Police Station in Puttur. On the night of April 14, 2026, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai, along with Panjigudde Ishwara Bhat and their supporters, allegedly used JCBs and tippers to demolish approximately 10,000 square feet of a building situated on a 9.79-acre plot. The perpetrators reportedly misled the public by falsely claiming they had a court order for the demolition, while simultaneously breaking court-authorized seals and locks on the premises. Valuable materials, including timber and tiles, were allegedly stolen, resulting in an estimated loss of ₹2 crore.

The property in question belongs to the Kedige family, having been purchased by the late Kedige Shivarao through a court auction before independence. This ownership has been upheld by both the High Court and the Supreme Court. Since 2018, the land has been under the legal custody of Court Receiver Dr. Aravinda Rao Kedige, appointed by the Senior Civil Judge & JMFC Court in Bantwal, pending the final decree of a family partition suit. While efforts were already underway by the family and the Receiver to legally evict unauthorized tenants and demolish the aged structure, the sudden, unauthorized intervention by the MLA and the temple administrator has been termed a grave case of contempt of court.

The press release also clarified that the ‘Devara Katte’ (divine platform) located on the land was built by Kedige Shivarao in 1946, as evidenced by the “1946 KSR” mark etched into its pillars. The family has traditionally maintained this structure and facilitated religious processions for decades without any prior interference from public representatives or temple authorities. Following a formal complaint, the police have filed an FIR against Panjigudde Ishwara Bhat and have sought court permission to include MLA Ashok Kumar Rai’s name in the case. The court has subsequently ordered notices to be issued to both individuals regarding the incident.