JOIN US The High Court on Thursday stayed further investigations by the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) against Principal Secretary of Higher Education Department Siddaiah.
The case involves alleged irregularities in the sanction of plans for an apartment complex built by DLF Group, and the widening of roads.
While hearing a petition filed by Siddaiah, who has challenged the BMTF investigation against him (with the permission of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bangalore), Justice K N Keshavanarayana passed the above interim orders.
The original complaint was filed by L Nagesh, who alleged that the DLF Group had constructed an 18-storey building near the Begur-Hulimavu Road, even though the BBMP had approved only the construction of a basement and four floors. It was also alleged that the BBMP had ordered the road to be widened from 18 to 24 metres, instead of 18 metres as per the Master Plan.
The changes were done to favour the real estate company based on the alleged recommendations from Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Aravind Limbavali, in 2009, Nagesh said.
Siddiah has been named as accused in the case as the orders were passed when he was the BBMP commissioner and certain approvals were also given for road widening during his tenure. The High Court on December 7 also stayed the investigation against Minister Limbavali and former additional chief secretary K M Shivakumar in the case.