Sam Pitroda Denies Allegations of Illegal Land Acquisition in Bengaluru

Sam Pitroda, the head of the Indian Overseas Congress, has been accused by BJP leader N R Ramesh of illegally acquiring 12.35 acres of government land in Bengaluru. Pitroda, however, has denied these allegations, stating he does not own any land, home, or stocks in India. The land in question is reportedly valued at Rs 150 crore and is located in Yelahanka, Karnataka.

Ramesh, a former councillor with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has filed a complaint with both the Enforcement Directorate and the Karnataka Lokayukta. He claims that Pitroda acquired the land with assistance from five senior government officers, including those from the forest department. The BJP leader has called for a criminal case against all involved in this alleged land acquisition.

Accusations and Denials

In response to media reports, Pitroda issued a statement on X clarifying his position. He said, "I do not own any land, home, or stocks in India." He further stated that during his time working with the Indian government under Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh, he never received any salary. Pitroda also emphasized that he has never paid or accepted any bribe throughout his life.

The controversy centres around an organisation named Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), which Pitroda registered on October 23, 1993. Ramesh alleges that Pitroda requested a lease from the Karnataka State Forest Department for reserve forest land to conserve medicinal herbal plants and conduct research.

Lease Details and Allegations

According to Ramesh, the forest department granted FRLHT a five-year lease for 12.35 acres of reserve forest land at B Block, Jarakabande Kaval near Yelahanka in 1996. This lease was extended for another ten years after its expiration in 2001. However, Ramesh claims that the lease was not renewed after it expired on December 2, 2011.

Ramesh argues that the state forest department should have reclaimed the valuable government land after the lease ended. He alleges that no efforts have been made by forest department officials to reclaim this land over the past 14 years. The BJP leader insists that action be taken against those responsible for this alleged oversight.

Pitroda's statement and Ramesh's allegations have sparked significant attention in Indian media. The situation remains tense as authorities investigate these claims further. The outcome of this case could have implications for both political figures and government officials involved.