After AG's clean chit, minister returns site

Law Minister Suresh Kumar who withdrew his resignation on Tuesday returned the BDA site allotted to him under chief minister’s discretionary quota at RMV II stage.

In a letter addressed to Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) Commissioner Pradeep Singh Karola, Kumar stated that he was surrendering the site and asked the officer to take necessary steps to take its possession.

Kumar withdrew his resignation after Advocate General S Vijay Shankar exonerated him in the site allotment controversy.

In his six-page report submitted to Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, the AG stated that  Kumar had not violated any norm while obtaining a BDA site under ‘G’ category.

“By no stretch of imagination can it be said that the contents of the affidavit suppresses or distorts facts which disentitled the minister to allotment of a site,” the report stated.

Gowda, on Monday had sought the AG’s opinion on whether there was any violation of rules in securing allotment of site by Suresh Kumar.

Addressing a press meet,  Kumar said he was overwhelmed by the support he received from not just the party workers but also from people of his constituency.

“With the Advocate General giving me a clean chit, I can return to my office with a clear conscience,” he said.

Kumar said that one should not suspect the AG’s intentions.

“He is an advisor to the government – he is not under the government. It is not right to suspect his intentions. The Advocate General is neither purchasable nor can he be blackmailed,” the minister said.

Kumar said that after the AG submitted his report to the chief minister, the latter called him up in the morning and asked him to withdraw his resignation.

‘Mother broke down’

The minister also said that the incidents during the last three days had taken a toll on him and his family members.

He said his 80-year-old mother who watched the developments on television broke down late in the night. “It was painful to watch her agonise,” he added.