Siddaramaiah govt sets up panel to probe BDA irregularities

Bengaluru: The state government has set up a three-member committee to investigate several irregularities within the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) that have surfaced over the past year.

Among the most significant is the compensation awarded to private people for properties that were actually government-owned. Such cases were identified in 11 villages acquired for the formation of the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout.

In an order issued on Monday, the Urban Development Department (UDD) directed the committee, led by IAS officer Munish Moudgil, to complete the investigation within a week.

The committee was formed at the request of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also oversees Bengaluru's development portfolio.

The three-member panel also includes Rajesh S Sulikeri, Under Secretary at the Urban Development Department, and S Gopalakrishna, Joint Director of Town and Country Planning in Bengaluru.

In its order, the UDD instructed the BDA commissioner to provide full cooperation and share all relevant documents. The committee has also been authorised to conduct on-site inspections if necessary.

First case 

In July last year, the BDA issued a sale deed to four private people for a corner plot on 40th Cross, 1st A Main, Jayanagar 8th Block, at a price of Rs 2 crore. The market value of this 8,000 sqft property is estimated to be at least Rs 24 crore.

However, the BDA set the sale price significantly lower, citing that the plot had originally been allotted to Dr LS Boregowda in 1973 for the construction of a private nursing home and hospital.

When the lease agreement expired, Dr Boregowda requested the BDA to issue an absolute sale deed, but his request was rejected twice — once in 2008 and again in 2013.

Despite this, under its new leadership, the BDA chose to sign the sale deed, raising concerns over the decision.

Second case 

The second irregularity involves the allotment of alternate land to a property owner who had surrendered land for road development when the layout was being formed. The BDA is accused of providing this alternate land in violation of established rules.

Third case

The third and most serious irregularity pertains to the BDA’s land acquisition officers, who are accused of illegally compensating private people during the development of the Kempegowda Layout. Private people reportedly received compensation — despite not being entitled to it — for giving up gomala land.

What the investigation will focus on

The sale of a civic amenity (CA) site in Jayanagar 8th Block, spanning over 8,000 sqft, for just Rs 2 crore in mid-2024.

The illegal allotment of alternate land to a private person in BTM Layout 4th Stage, in violation of established rules.

The compensation of private people for government-owned properties.