VVIP land grabbers: Top politicians, businessmen in the dock

VVIP land grabbers: Top politicians, businessmen in the dock
Friday July 6 2007 02:01 IST

BANGALORE: Skeletons are likely to tumble out when the government releases the list of VVIP government land grabbers in Bangalore urban district limits.

The Joint House Committee (JHC) of the legislature has unearthed names of former CMs, MPs, MLAs, ministers, former BMP corporators and prominent businessmen involved in government land grabbing.

A list of VVIPs prepared by the revenue department has names of two illustrious politicians who carved a niche for themselves by their distinctive style of work as chief ministers. Sources said that at least four family members of these former CM's are also accused of encroaching government lands.

A list of around 300 VIPs has been prepared by the revenue department. Barring a few senior officials in the department, not even members of the JHC of the legislature probing government land encroachment in Bangalore urban district know of the list.

A couple of prominent businessmen, who are also sitting MPs -- one in the Rajya Sabha and the other in the Loka Sabha -- also figure in the land grabbing list. In another incident, an FIR has been filed at Parappana Agrahaara against son of a senior minister in the JD(S)-BJP coalition government.

The other prominent names that figure in the list include top businessmen with political connections and running a chain of companies and educational institutions in Bangalore and across the State. A businessman who unsuccessfully contested the previous Assembly elections is also named in the list of VVIPs.

Barring one sitting MLA from the city, there is no direct involvement of other legislators in the land-grabbing, sources pointed out. “Most of them have lands in benami names.

It is difficult to prove their involvement,” they said. On the contrary, quite a few former BMP corporators cutting across party lines are said to be directly involved. There are also prominent builders involved in the land-grabbing, sources pointed.VVIP land grabbers: Top politicians, businessmen in the dock
Friday July 6 2007 02:01 IST

BANGALORE: Skeletons are likely to tumble out when the government releases the list of VVIP government land grabbers in Bangalore urban district limits.

The Joint House Committee (JHC) of the legislature has unearthed names of former CMs, MPs, MLAs, ministers, former BMP corporators and prominent businessmen involved in government land grabbing.

A list of VVIPs prepared by the revenue department has names of two illustrious politicians who carved a niche for themselves by their distinctive style of work as chief ministers. Sources said that at least four family members of these former CM's are also accused of encroaching government lands.

A list of around 300 VIPs has been prepared by the revenue department. Barring a few senior officials in the department, not even members of the JHC of the legislature probing government land encroachment in Bangalore urban district know of the list.

A couple of prominent businessmen, who are also sitting MPs -- one in the Rajya Sabha and the other in the Loka Sabha -- also figure in the land grabbing list. In another incident, an FIR has been filed at Parappana Agrahaara against son of a senior minister in the JD(S)-BJP coalition government.

The other prominent names that figure in the list include top businessmen with political connections and running a chain of companies and educational institutions in Bangalore and across the State. A businessman who unsuccessfully contested the previous Assembly elections is also named in the list of VVIPs.

Barring one sitting MLA from the city, there is no direct involvement of other legislators in the land-grabbing, sources pointed out. “Most of them have lands in benami names.

It is difficult to prove their involvement,” they said. On the contrary, quite a few former BMP corporators cutting across party lines are said to be directly involved. There are also prominent builders involved in the land-grabbing, sources pointed.