State government looked the other way as sharks grabbed its land

The investigation report indicates that the government helped a private company by regularising illegal land grab.

The report clearly indicates those involved in the land grab at Kannamangala horticulture farm got the land regularised with the help of government. Shaji B John, Raveendra Kumar and Rakhi Rai, who purchased 49.28 acres land at Kannamangala survey number 90, allegedly transferred the land to Mfar Infrastructure Private Limited.

Giriyas Investments bagged 3.30 acres from Ronald K, Deepak Anand and Vivek Anand and Lemin Developers bought two acres acre from M Shivakumar. At the same time, a few others - Raveendra Kumar, Gajanan Mitthal, Chaudamma, Yashodamma, Kavitha, Manasa, Sampangiramaiah and N R Prakash allegedly purchased lands at Kannamanagala, violating all norms, according to the report. A company facing the charge of landgrabbing submitted proposals to convert the land and regularise it in its name in 2007 and 2008. The then Bangalore Rural Deputy Commissioner allegedly approved the proposals without a second thought. More shocking, the State High Level Clearance Committee (SHLCC) approved a real estate project moved by the company in the name of development of information technology in 2008.

After the buying and selling by a few high profile persons, the company in the ongoing controversy Ozon Urban Infra Developers Private Limited (OUIDPL) came into picture. Various companies and individuals, who had previously purchased the lands, sold their lands to OUIDPL. The OUIDPL purchased 140 acres land at two places - survey number 90 and surrounding areas.

The OUIDPL officials decided to put an end to all illegal activities and submitted ‘Information Technology Industry Zone Project’ on March 10, 2010 to the State government. The SHLCC at its meeting, headed by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, approved the project. The government regularised all illegal activities that took place before OUIDPL bought the 140 acres land. The State government also agreed to acquire 27 acres required for the OUIDPL project from the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board. The final gazette notification was issued.

I have not influenced inquiry: Minister

Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy has said that he has not influenced any officer inquiring into land grab scam. “I have not influenced inquiry in any way nor I have brought pressure on any officer to stop the investigation. There is neither any relationship between the transfer and the inquiry,” he said while speaking to reporters in Harapanahalli on Tuesday. The minister said he had only directed the officers to conduct a joint survey and submit a report.