The Hindu : Karnataka News : Court refers land acquisition for Itaska to Lokayukta

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Karnataka

Karnataka

Court refers land acquisition for Itaska to Lokayukta

Staff Reporter

PIL challenges grant of compensation for acquired land

BANGALORE: In a move that could spell fresh trouble for beleaguered former Minister for Information Technology and Housing Katta Subramanya Naidu, the Karnataka High Court on Friday referred to the Lokayukta a case relating to acquisition of land at Bandikodigehalli in Devanahalli taluk for Itaska company.

Justice D.V. Shylendra Kumar passed the order on a petition challenging the grant of compensation for acquiring land at Bandikodihalli.

The petitioner Faqrulla Khan claimed that though he had the power of attorney, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) had handed over compensation of Rs. 9.92 crore for acquiring 32 acres of land to the land owners.

Mr. Khan sought a writ of mandamus from the High Court for payment of compensation to him. He also alleged that compensation had been given thrice to the landowners even after they had empowered him with the power of attorney.

He said the lands were acquired by the KIADB for being handed over to Itaska for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Justice D.V. Shylendra Kumar dismissed the petition, but referred the case to the Lokayukta for investigation.

FIR filed

The Lokayukta is already investigating acquisition of land by Itaska. It has also filed a complaint and registered a FIR against Katta Subramanya Naidu, his son, Katta Jagadish, and eight others in connection with acquisition of land by Itaska. After the FIR was registered, Katta had to quit his ministerial post. The Lokayukta has charged Katta and others with cheating, benami transactions, fabricating documents and forgery and registered cases under Sections 7, 8, 12, 13(1)(D) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and also Sections 419, 420, 465, 468, 471 of IPC.

According to the Lokayukta, Katta and his family members bought land using fraudulent means to form an SEZ for Itaska.

The other accused include Itaska company chief S.V. Srinivas, Jaggaiah, Venkaiah, Srinivas Murthy, Basavapoornaiah, Karnataka Udyog Mitra (KUM) Director Shivananda, KIADB Special Deputy Commissioner Vijay Shankar, KIADB Special Land Acquisition Officer Muninarayanappa and other government officials as well as some individuals.

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