H.D. Kumaraswamy accuses D.K. Shivakumar and his family members of illegally acquiring land parcels around Bengaluru notified for BMIC project
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Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Firing a salvo at his arch rival in Vokkaliga politics, Union Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday accused Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his family members of illegally acquiring land parcels around Bengaluru that had been notified for Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP), promoted by the Nandi Infrastructure Corrider Enterprise (NICE).
The Chief Minister, who was then the Urban Development Minister and Chairman of BMICP Authority in 2004, has been accused by the Union Minister of being instrumental in modifying the original framework agreement to re-allocate land within the project, especially close to the State’s capital, through which he allegedly benefitted.
The RTC documents, which were released to back his claims, show that besides Mr. Shivakumar, his parents (Gowramma and the late D.K. Kempegowda) daughter Abharana, and brother and former Member of Parliament D.K. Suresh acquired land parcels in B.M. Kaval, near Kengeri, which had been notified by the State government for the project.
These land parcels, the Union Minister claimed, came after the NICE gave no objection certificates to Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), citing that the land was no longer required for the project. Mr. Kumaraswamy released 26 Records of Rights, Tenancy and Crops (RTC), which show the ownership of land in his name or the names of his family members, as evidence to his allegations. “Once land is notified it becomes a government property.”
“The NICE has given 420 NOCs so far.... Mr. Shivakumar and his family have acquired 150 acres to 200 acres in the NICE project notified area. His wealth has grown from ₹4 crore in 2003 to ₹1,413 crore in 2023, mainly due to these deals,” Mr. Kumaraswamy told presspersons here. He estimated that about 500 acres of project notified land has been given away through the NOCs, and pinpointed about 22 acres held by the Chief Minister and his family members.
“Ever since Mr. Shivakumar became the Chairman of BMICPA by influencing the then Chief Minister (the late S.M. Krishna), the deviations started. Both Mr. Shivakumar and NICE promoter Ashok Kheny are involved,” he alleged. “The Karnataka High Court has also termed the illegal land deals as a fraud on statute and Constitution, and State authorities to be accomplice in this fraud.”
When asked about Mr. Shivakumar’s oft-repeated claim that his allegations were driven by “jealousy”, the Union Minister said, “If the Chief Minister takes action on the fraud, I will felicitate him. If he does not have the ability to take action and stop the loot, let him resign.” He also sought criminal action against Mr. Kheny, and urged authorities to impound his passport and arrest him for the alleged fraud, which he estimated to be ₹ 3 lakh crore.
On the future course of action, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, “We are trying to mobile the farmers, who have not been compensated for nearly 30 years. We will also initiate legal action and seek investigation through judicial intervention. I am ready for an open discussion too.”
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