<p>Bengaluru: A trust run by Sam Pitroda — chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress — has been accused of occupying forest land without a valid lease.</p>.<p>The 12.35 acres, situated near Jarakabande Kaval in the northern part of Bengaluru, is said to be worth over Rs 150 crore. </p>.<p>The trust in question is the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions. Pitroda is the chairman of the trust. </p>.Don't understand the threat from China: Sam Pitroda's comment stirs row.<p>According to a complaint filed by BJP leader NR Ramesh, the reserve forest land was registered in the name of the trust in the Byataryanapura sub-register’s office in 1996. The land was initially leased for five years after taking approval of the Ministry of Forest, Ecology and Environment, Government of India. </p>.<p>In 2001, the Karnataka Forest Department extended the lease period by 10 years as the first lease term had expired. On December 2011, the second lease period also ended. Subsequently, the lease was not renewed. </p>.<p>“Even though the Forest Department should have taken back the custody of the property, it has not done so as the trustee, Sam Pitroda, is an influential politician and a businessman. Because of this, the forest land continues to be illegally occupied for the last 14 years,” Ramesh has alleged in his complaint to various investigating agencies, including the Lokayukta.</p>.<p>He also alleged that the trust makes crores of profit by using the large piece of government land. </p>
<p>Bengaluru: A trust run by Sam Pitroda — chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress — has been accused of occupying forest land without a valid lease.</p>.<p>The 12.35 acres, situated near Jarakabande Kaval in the northern part of Bengaluru, is said to be worth over Rs 150 crore. </p>.<p>The trust in question is the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions. Pitroda is the chairman of the trust. </p>.Don't understand the threat from China: Sam Pitroda's comment stirs row.<p>According to a complaint filed by BJP leader NR Ramesh, the reserve forest land was registered in the name of the trust in the Byataryanapura sub-register’s office in 1996. The land was initially leased for five years after taking approval of the Ministry of Forest, Ecology and Environment, Government of India. </p>.<p>In 2001, the Karnataka Forest Department extended the lease period by 10 years as the first lease term had expired. On December 2011, the second lease period also ended. Subsequently, the lease was not renewed. </p>.<p>“Even though the Forest Department should have taken back the custody of the property, it has not done so as the trustee, Sam Pitroda, is an influential politician and a businessman. Because of this, the forest land continues to be illegally occupied for the last 14 years,” Ramesh has alleged in his complaint to various investigating agencies, including the Lokayukta.</p>.<p>He also alleged that the trust makes crores of profit by using the large piece of government land. </p>
