Land grabbing case filed against Sam Pitroda in Karnataka

Bengaluru: In a detailed filing before the Land Grabbing Prohibition Court here, BJP leader N R Ramesh accused a trust chaired by Congress leader Sam Pitroda of land grabbing, fraud and corruption and sought investigation into the abuse of power by the trust as well as officials.

Ramesh alleged that Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), where Sam Pitroda is chairman, has unauthorisedly occupied forest land and operates ayurvedic hospital under the name 'IAIM' in violation of the law. Pitroda and Darshan Shankar, the managing trustee of FRLHT, allegedly played a key role in the "fraud".

He said FRLHT was initially registered in Mumbai on October 23, 1991. In 1996, Pitroda petitioned for lease of 12.35 acre of reserve forest land in 'B' Block of Jarakabande Kaval for the conservation of medicinal plants and the foundation's activities. "In 1996, the said land was granted (by the Forest Department) to FRLHT Mumbai... In 2001, the lease was extended for 10 more years after which the land was to be reclaimed by the Forest Department. However, due to the undue influence of accused no.1 (Pitroda) and his political connections, the department failed to take possession of the valuable government land," he said.

Ramesh alleged that the FRLHT continues to exist despite the expiry of the lease. Moreover, the trust claimed to be a non-commercial entity but "tax invoices and website data indicates substantial revenue generation".

The complaint said, Pitroda and Shankar, "corrupt officials" have enabled a set of illegalities, including criminal breach of trust, fraud, corruption, illegal land grabbing and others.

The complaint prayed for immediate possession of forest land and initiation of criminal proceedings against the accused.