The war of words between the BJP and JD(S) over the blatant misuse of power to shower their relatives with land took a new turn on Wednesday as a fresh set of documents available with this newspaper reveals that successive chief ministers have thrown the rule book to the wind and misused their discretionary powers to acquire prime land in the city.
One set of documents shows how Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa allotted nine plots in prime locations worth over `20 crores to his sister as well as Lakshman Poojari, his astrologer.
H.D. Kumaraswamy, on the other hand, during his tenure as chief minister had denotified around 180 acres in favour of controversy-stricken Viswabharathi Housing Cooperative Society. Within days of the denotification, his wife Anita Kumaraswamy was allocated a plot measuring 16,500 sq. ft. for a paltry sum of `14 lakhs as against the market value of `8.25 crores.
She was, however, forced to return the site after some of its original members waiting in queue for allotment threatened to go to court against the society’s high-handedness.
BSY LARGESSE
Among the 122 BDA sites issued under “G” category in the last two years, Mr Yeddyurappa allotted nine BDA sites to his family members and close associates each worth not less than `1 crore, considering the present market value.
To begin with, Mr Yeddyurappa’s son and MP B.Y. Raghavendra was allotted a site measuring 50x80 feet in upmarket RMV 2nd stage, also known as Dollars Colony. The site is easily worth over `1.5 crore. Despite being aware of the fact that wrong declaration would lead to forfeiting of the site, Raghavendra filed a wrong affidavit saying he has no site in Bengaluru. However, the government has not yet forfeited the allotted site while Mr Yeddyurappa has freely admitted to having allotted a site to his son.
HDK’S ABUSE OF POWER
Meanwhile, Mr Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said he will quit politics if he has done anything illegal. However, incriminating documents with this paper reveals that he is not above reproach either.
The Vishwabarati Housing Cooperative Society, which established the Grininagar layout, was mired in controversy after the BDA slapped criminal charges against the society for illegally acquiring government land to form layout to an extent of 180 acres. The case landed in high court and was being fiercely fought. However, when HDK took charge as chief minister he was petitioned by the society to give away the land. In 2006 HDK de-notified the land saying it was in the interest of humble investors. Within a few days the society “gifted” 16,500 sq. ft. (site number bearing 702) to his wife Anita Kumaraswamy. The land is registered for a meagre `14 lakhs whereas the market value was `8.25 crores.
When some of the litigants got to know that HDK received a huge plot they threatened the society with exposure. Anita was not a member of the society and hence had no right to register the site at the society rate. Fearing a scandal, she was, however, forced to give the site back within two months on June 1, 2006 to the society secretary.