Gokula Education Foundation denies encroachment charge

 Gokula Education Foundation has refuted the allegations made by BJP leader N R Ramesh that it has encroached upon some portions of land belonging to the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and a stormwater drain (SWD).

In a press release, the Foundation said an extent of 21 acres and seven guntas of land in Survey numbers 9, 10 and 11 of Chikkamaranahalli village was purchased by the family members of Dr M S Ramaiah. Of the 21 acres and seven guntas, four acres were given to the IISc, free of cost, for widening the air strip.

The Foundation said, “The Bengaluru Urban district revenue authorities conducted the survey and submitted a detailed survey report to the authorities concerned that there is no rajakaluve (SWD) in these survey numbers. Ramesh is raking up the issue in the electronic and print media on the matter just to malign the name of M R Seetharam, Minister for Planning and Statistics, Science and Technology, who is also the vice-chairman and trustee of Gokula Education Foundation.”