Complaint filed with Lokayukta against Mallikarjun Kharge’s family

Team Udayavani, Sep 28, 2024, 8:52 AM IST

Bengaluru: BJP leader N.R. Ramesh has lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta, accusing AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and his family of misusing their political influence to acquire government land in two different locations in Bengaluru.

Ramesh, who submitted 394 pages of evidence, alleged that Kharge’s family, under the name of the “Siddhartha Vihara Trust,” received government land through unlawful means, violating legal procedures. The complaint mentions that Kharge’s family secured land worth crores of rupees by using their political power.

Ramesh further claimed that the family used their influence to obtain land from both the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), a serious violation. The complaint details that in 2014, the trust acquired land in BTM Layout under a 30-year lease for educational purposes, which was later hidden. Recently, the family allegedly secured another 5-acre plot in Bagalur near Yelahanka from KIADB.

Ramesh demanded legal action against Dr. S. Selvakumar, Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce, and Large & Medium Scale Industries Minister M.B. Patil for their role in facilitating the land allotment. He also announced plans to meet the Governor to seek permission for an investigation into the matter.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya in a post on X said: “Ramesh NR of BJP has filed a complaint with Karnataka Lokayukta against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and others, alleging land grab by the Siddhartha Vihar Trust owned by Kharge’s family. The trust reportedly received free land from the Congress government, raising questions about nepotism and criminal breach of trust.”