'C T Ravi involved in series of misappropriations'

Congress leader Vijaykumar Shetty has alleged District-in-Charge Minister C T Ravi of involving in a series of misappropriations and has warned of staging protest by holding black flag during his visit to the city.

Addressing reporters on Saturday, Shetty questioned the source of income of the minister which has increased by several folds in the last seven years. “C T Ravi in his declaration of assets prior to the Assembly election in 2004 had stated that his asset was Rs 10 lakh, while it has increased to Rs 2 crore in 2011. Ravi has illegally encroached the government land in Chikmagalur under the  name of Anjaneya Education Trust, managed by C T Ravi’s wife Pallavi. About 150 acres of land in Marale village in Chikmagalur district has been illegally encroached for quarrying work, which is run by the Minister’s brother-in-law,” revealed the Congress leader.

He also alleged the Minister of owning two sites under Chikmagalur Housing Board which is again illegal. If one site was sanctioned to him in 1997, the second site was sanctioned in 2007. Apart from these misappropriations, the Minister has also encroached a lake near his coffee estate which was earlier used by the general public. Stating that some of the cases are pending in Lokayukta court now, Shetty said he would come with all the proof within two days. “I can challenge Ravi and prove that all the allegations are true,” he said.

He also said that the District Congress unit will gherao the Minister’s visit to the city next time.