Katta's son gets 12-day jail

The fresh development came even as the 23rd Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge rejected Katta Jagadish’s bail plea and remanded him to judicial custody till October 12.

Briefing mediapersons on Friday evening, the Lokayukta Justice Santhosh Hegde said, “Investigations have revealed that the 325 acres of land acquired by the KIADB for Itska Software includes a huge portion of land related to minister Katta’s wife, Soubhagya. We have records that clearly show that the land was purchased in her name for Rs 9 lakh and a compensation of Rs 4 crore was paid to her.”

This apart, the Lokyukta has also found records showing that Jagadish had purchased a few acres of land at a cheaper price and received a compensation of Rs 40 lakh. “We are trying to find out what was the role of Katta Subramanya Naidu in the alleged irregularities.
We have taken all precautions to prevent tampering of evidence. We have all audio and video recordings. Ramananjappa (who had on Thursday complained that he was offered Rs 1 lakh by Katta junior for not giving evidence against the corporator to the Lokayukta) on his own has also recorded his telephonic conversation with Katta Jagadish,” said the Lokayukta.

Hegde said the family members of the minister were threatening those who came to the Lokayukta police to give statements in connection with the irregularities. Ramanjanappa was one of them. But the arrest of Katta Jagadish had brought confidence among those who wants to help the probe,” Hegde added.

Late Thursday night, Katta junior’s supporters surrounded the vehicle in which he was being taken by the Lokayukta police, followed it and made a scene at the residence of the Additional Sessions Judge in Koramangala. In the melee, a number of photo journalists were also allegedly manhandled by Jagadish’s followers. This led photo journalists to approach Home Minister R Ashok who assured them of prompt action.