Probe mala fide, unfair, Katta tells HC

During the hearing of the bail petition, counsel for the former minister, C V Nagesh, submitted that though the preliminary notification as well as final notification to acquire 155 acres of land for Itasca was done in 2006, the charge sheet was filed against him in 2010.

He submitted that though the villagers never complained against him, the charge sheet was filed against him, after the Lokayukta DySP initiated suo motu complaint against him.

High-powered committee

Stating that it was not the decision of the former minister to allot 155 acres of land to the company, he said the 31-member high-powered committee headed by then chief minister cleared the project.

“I am just a member of the committee. You put me in the position of Alibaba and 40 thieves. Why just one thief, where are the others?,” the former minister questioned.

Marathon hearing

In a marathon hearing which lasted for over four hours, Nagesh submitted that some persons who have been charged with similar offences have been granted bail, while the former minister is still housed in jail.

Terming the chargesheet against Katta as mala fide, he alleged the charges against him were made just because he was a minister.

Counsel for Lokayukta, M T Nanaiah, in his submission said grants of compensation had been made without basic documents and the State Exchequer had lost crores of rupees. The matter has been adjourned.