Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda accused R Ashoka, Karnataka's Opposition Leader, of looting government land in Lottegollahalli, claiming he returned it only after the controversy was revealed
Published Oct 03, 2024 | 9:39 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 03, 2024 | 1:53 PM
Krishna Byre Gowda accuses R Ashoka of looting government land in Lottegollahalli
R Ashoka, who is the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Karnataka Assembly, took a swipe at the Congress party for criticising BJP members over comments made about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi.
Tensions heightened when R Ashoka criticised Parvathi for her involvement in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam.
At a press conference held at Congress’ state headquarters in Bengaluru on Wednesday evening, Minister for Revenue Krishna Byre Gowda quickly retaliated, accusing Ashoka of having previously looted government land in Lottegollahalli.
Gowda claimed that Ashoka returned this land only after it had been exposed. This land controversy dates back to the tenures of former Chief Ministers BS Yediyurappa and Jagadish Shettar.
At the press conference, which was also attended by Minister for Home Dr G Parameshwar & Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs HK Patil, Gowda said that the BDA identified a 32-gunta area in Lottegollahalli, issuing a preliminary notification on 27 February, 1977, and a final notification on 31 August, 1978.
On 26 February 2003 and 12 November 2007, R Ashoka purchased the above-mentioned notified land owned by BDA from the original owner by way of a deed of sale, he said.
Gowda added, that on 16 October 2009, in Ramaswamy’s name, who was the owner of the land, an application was filed before the then CM BS Yediyurappa to release this land from land acquisition. Within two months, the then BJP’s Chief Minister issued an order to leave this land from land acquisition.
A case is also pending in the Lokayukta court regarding the land dispute, Gowda claimed.
Gowda further added, “As the matter became serious, Ashoka made a return gift of the land purchased by him from the original owner to the government through a registered gift deed on 27 August 2011 to Bangalore Development Authority.”
“In the gift deed it is clearly stated that ‘Donor has a true and lawful owner herby gift, assign, convey and set-over possession of all the Schedule Properties unto and in favour of the DONEE, free from all encumbrances and clogs and DONEE has accepted the Gift from the DONOR’,” he said.
Gowda said, “On behalf of BDA then Deputy Secretary- 1, CA site section has received this gift from Ashoka. On 22 November 2011 through the BDA Secretaries, the right of the land was changed. Ashoka is a landlord who donated his own land to the government.”
He claimed that Retired Wing Commander GV Atri, a local activist, fought tirelessly to shed light on these issues, even pursuing legal action. The High Court reviewed the matter, and since Ashoka had returned the land to the government, the court ruled that no further investigation was necessary, effectively dismissing Atri’s writ petition.
Gowda alleged, “Along with Ashoka, the masterminds of this scam were the then Chief Ministers Jagadish Shettar and BS Yediyurappa, which was clearly mentioned by Wing Commander Atri.”
“Another interesting fact is that Ashoka built 15 sheds, two car garages and godowns on the disputed land and earned crores of rupees in rent since 2003 till he donated the land. Isn’t it making money through the proceeds of crime? Is this an offence under the purview of the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, or not?” Gowda questioned.
“After the change of rights on the said land, the illegally constructed buildings were cleared and BDA had taken possession of 38 gunta site worth ₹40 crore,” he said.
The unfolding drama prompted Minister Gowda to demand accountability from Ashoka and the BJP regarding several key questions:
Why did Ashoka purchase land already identified for acquisition by the BDA?
What led to the original owner applying for denotification after the sale?
How did Yediyurappa grant the release so swiftly?
Why did Ashoka return the land only after legal challenges surfaced?
Was there governmental permission for the BDA to accept such a gift deed?
Why were BDA officials, the urban development minister, and the chief minister not more vigilant in scrutinising these records?
Where did the rental income from the property go, and why wasn’t it returned to the government?
Why did Ashoka only gift this property back and not other personal assets?
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
