Ktk govt orders probe into land purchases of Gowda family

Bangalore, Feb 3 (PTI) In a tit-for-tat offensive againstthe family members of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda,BJP government in Karnataka today ordered a probe into certainland deals said to have been made by them.

Hitting back at the JD-S chief and his sons, who have beenrepeatedly levelling charges against Chief Minister B SYeddyurappa, the ruling government began an enquiry into grantof 82.10 acres of government land in Paduvalahippe village inHassan district, allegedly in violation of Land Reforms Act.

The land secured included 4.39 acres of tank, which wasbreached and converted into a farm in the name of Gowda''s wifeChennamma, and later transferred to his son H D Revanna.

Giving details of the probe against the Gowda family, B JPuttaswamy, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, toldreporters that revenue authorities in Bangalore division hadserved a notice on H Kavitha, wife of H D Balakrishna Gowda,eldest son of Gowda, for purchasing 8.06 acres at Chikkagubbivillage on the city outskirts.

She has been asked to appear for enquiry along withdocuments on February 23.

"The lands purchased by family members of Gowda are inviolation of Land Revenue Act Section 79 A, which bars anyonehaving non-agricultural income exceeding Rs two lakh frombuying agricultural lands. All those who have purchased landsare Income Tax assesses and cannot purchase lands," he said.

Notices have also been issued to Gowda''s another son,former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who has purchased 21.36acres near Bidadi in Ramanagara district and another piece ofland measuring 22.21 acres in the same area, which he got as"gift" from his mother-in-law Vimala.

Puttasamy said the above lands belong to SC/ST peoplewhich was granted by the government and purchase of theselands by others was violative of rules.

Kumaraswamy has also been slapped with a notice forpurchasing 6.38 acres from a SC person.

Vimala was given a notice, stating that she violated rulesby purchasing lands.

The BJP has accused JD-S of colluding with Congress totopple the first ever BJP government in the south.

"Revanna and Kumaraswamy have been repeatedly saying theywould retire from politics if anyone proved allegations ofillegal land grabbing and irregularities in purchase of landsby them. Now I have proved it with documentary evidence. Whenwill they retire from politics," Puttaswamy said.

Housing Minister V Somanna, who was also present chargedthat Devegowda has been "intolerant" to Chief Ministers fromthe majority Lingayat community. He had troubled S R Bommai, JH Patel, S Nijalingappa and now Yeddyurappa, he said.

Sommana said the mud slinging politics should come to anend and asked Revanna to prove his charge with documents thatYeddyurappa had purchased lands worth Rs 1,000 crore in thelast 50 months.