Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister R. Ashok, who is facing charges of illegally allotting ‘bagair hukum’ land to Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy at Somanahalli in Uttarahalli hobli, defended himself stating that he had just recommended the names and that he has no role beyond that.
Speaking on the sidelines of the foundation-laying ceremony for sanitary lines at a cost of Rs 1.82 crore at Shastrinagar in Yediyur ward, Mr Ashok said that since the land allotted to Mr Murthy has been withdrawn by the government, the issue is closed. However, he said he would send his witness letter to the Bengaluru Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF), which is probing the issue. The recommendations for government land had been made in the capacity of Land Grants Committee chairman. Revenue officials and tahsildars have the sanctioning power after inspecting the area. Also, the tahsildar is the secretary of the committee, Mr Ashok claimed.
When asked if he was not aware of the fact that as per land grants rules, no land can be granted within 18 km from the municipality jurisdiction Mr Ashok said, “The PWD official issued the distance certificate and when I recommended the file, saying Somanahalli was over 18 kms from the municipality’s border.” About eight acres of land allotted to Mr Murthy and his wife Prabha have been taken back by the government following a detailed inspection by the sub-divisional magistrate of Bengaluru South division, he added.
Government mum on issue Governer H.R. Bharadwaj declined to comment on the land allotment charges involving Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy and Deputy CM R. Ashok. Speaking to reporters, he said he did not have any documents concerning the scam and refrained from commenting.