BDA launches probe into fraudulent site allotments

BDA launches probe into fraudulent site allotments
The Times of India

The computerisation of site allotments being carried out by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has opened up a Pandora’s box. Site allotments in first attempt for 22-year-olds, false affidavits submitted by the allottees, involvement of BDA officials...

This retired IRS officer managed to get two BDA sites in prime areas. And the way he operated was: misrepresenting facts in the affidavit and claimed the sites in two different names.
Two brothers living in the same house got sites in their first attempt in Banashankari VI stage. The brothers were aged 22 and 25 when they were allotted sites.

And now, the BDA has initiated a vigilance probe into the site allotments done by fraudulent means which will result in cancelling the allotments and registering criminal cases against the allottees. The BDA officials, who have been accused of colluding with the allottees and favouring them, are also in the firing line.

With the data being computerised, the BDA is in a position to get the site allotment details at the click of a mouse. It has ventured into computerising 1.89 lakh site allotments done in 79 layouts right from 1952.

BDA commissioner M N Vidyashankar told The Times of India that the probe has been ordered into the fraudulent allotments made between 1987 and 2003 - allotments made in HSR layout, Anjanapura, Banashakari VI stage and Sir MV Layouts. “We have taken the HSR layout as the cut-off as other layouts have been formed more than 30 years ago and are all well developed. The probe has established several fraudulent allotments and we will cancel them. But the board has to take a decision on those sites on which buildings have come up,’’ Vidyashankar explained.

For instance: two brothers, who are merchants, have been allotted 50 ft X 80 ft sites in BSK VI stage in the first attempt. They were 22 and 25 years when the allotments were made. It has been established that the allottees had paid a hefty bribe to the case workers for out-of-turn allotments. Now, the BDA has cancelled the allotments and will register criminal cases against them. Vidyashankar informed.

Similarly, a retired high-ranking IRS officer has got two 50 ft X 80 ft sites allotted in two different names at JP Nagar and Jayanagar in 1977 and 1986. This case is a shocking one. The late bureaucrat has used his surname with initials for one site allotment and on the other, he has expanded the initials. The affidavits filed with the application also contain the same names.

“We have investigated the case, but here, buildings have come up on both the sites. We have concluded that the second site allotment was unlawful but the allotment cannot be cancelled. The matter is before our board waiting for a decision,’’ Vidyashankar added.

Not only the allottees even the employees who are involved in the fraud have also been brought under the scanner.

Disciplinary inquiry has been initiated against 16 employees up to the level of superintendents who had joined hands with the allottees for a hefty bribe.