JOIN USA private complaint was filed in the Special Lokayukta Court here on Tuesday against Textiles Minister Varthur Prakash accusing him of possessing assets disproportionate to his income.
The complainant B M Shankare Gowda, a resident of Kolar has alleged that the Minister had given false information in his declaration before the Lokayukta. The complainant alleged that at the time of submitting his affidavit to the Election Commission, Prakash’s declaration amounted to cash of Rs one lakh and a little else. He had also declared that he had no agricultural, non-agricultural, commercial and residential buildings, houses or apartments.
Later, after being elected as an MLA, during his successive affidavits filed before the Lokayukta, his income increased only marginally and no declaration was made about purchase of properties. In November 2010, Prakash first declared his involvement as director of a company called Nithin Projects though it had come into existence in 2007. The company also had Shyamala, Prakash’s wife as the additional director. Incidentally, his third son is named Nithin.
The complainant alleged that the company which showed no activity in its annual statements in 2010 purchased a building for Rs 14.5 crore in J C Nagar. “Though the value of the property shown is Rs 14.5 crore, the property is worth Rs 40 crore,” he alleged.
He also alleged that Prakash had deliberately suppressed information about two residential properties he owned in Varthur and Dollars Colony and also purchase of 36 acres of agricultural land in Hoskote. Gowda had lodged a complaint with the office of the Lokayukta in January, but stated he approached the Court as no action had been initiated by the Lokayukta.
The matter has been adjourned to April 2 for further hearing.