Lokayukta police to probe APMC chief's asset case

The Lokayukta Court on Friday ordered the Lokayukta police to investigate the disproportionate assets case against M Srinivas, the serving Chairman of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) of Srinivaspur Taluk (Kolar district) and his wife, Dr S Chandrakala, a gynecologist at the government hospital in Srinivaspur.

The pair have been accused of ammasing wealth disproportionate to their earnings, claimed to be over Rs 50 crore.

A private complaint lodged by Maruthi Reddy at the Lokayukta court alleged that Srinivas had accrued not only 50 acres of land in Srinivaspur taluk and surrounding areas, but also has bought a site in Ramamurthynagar in Bangalore.

In the complaint it is claimed that the APMC Chairman and his wife, both public servants, employed by the State Government could be charged under the Prevention of Corruption act, section 13 (a), (b), (c) and (d) for accruing assets more than their combined revenue while serving in their respective postings.

Reddy also claimed that Srinivas, who had previously served as the President of the Srinivaspur Taluk gram panchayat, had used his influence to stave eviction orders issued by the Assistant Commissioner of the Revenue Department on some eight acres of land under his name.  

The eviction notice was issued as the land was meant for the landless, which was granted to Srinivas allegedly due to his clout.

It has also been alleged that Srinivas owned a commercial complex in Srinivaspur Town which has been leased to the Social Welfare Department and which is valued to be not less than Rs two crore. It is also claimed that the APMC Chairman owns 10 acres of Mango grove and also another 10 acres of banana plantation in Srinivaspur.

Site and building

In Bangalore, the APMC chairman is said to own a site, and has constructed a building which earns a revenue of Rs 50,000 per month. The property is in the name of the APMC Chairman.

Reddy also claimed that the Gram Panchayat member also has a blemished record with a case registered under Section 420 for cheating and demanding a bribe of Rs two lakh from a private person while serving as the president of the gram panchayat. It is also claimed that the husband and wife duo own gold jewellery worth Rs three lakh.

The case has now been referred to the Lokayukta police and hearing has been posted to January 30, 2013.