Congress accuses K’taka LoP of 'land scam' worth crores

NT Bureau, Agencies: Bengaluru Karnataka Congress on Wednesday released documents alleging a land scam running into hundreds of crores against Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly (LoP) R. Ashoka. Minister for Home G. Parameshwara made the charges and demanded action against Ashoka at a joint press conference held at the Congress headquarters. “We are bringing before the media what transpired when Ashoka was part of the government earlier. This is a land scam worth hundreds of crores that took place in Lottegollahalli on the outskirts of Bengaluru,” Parameshwara told media persons.

He added that the land in survey number 10/1 was de-notified by Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA). “In February 1977 BDA had issued the first notification for acquisition. On February 23, 2003 and 2007 the land was encroached,” Parameshwara claimed. He said that before the BDA notification, the land was owned by one Ramaswamy. “It was in the ownership of BDA for 26 years. Ashoka illegally got the registration of this land done. He got the Ramaswamy family to apply for de-notification and then Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa signed on the file and directed them to immediately put up the file,” Parameshwara stated.

He added that when this was questioned by one G.V. Athri in the Lokayukta, Ashoka handed over the land and wrote a letter to the BDA on July 28, 2011. “Who is Ashoka to return BDA property to BDA itself,” Parameshwara wondered. He said that the case had gone to the High Court and the court had stated that since the land has been given back to the BDA, there is no need to file a criminal case.