
The BJP leader accused Indian Overseas Congress President Sam Pitroda of illegally usurping 12.35 acres of government land in Bengaluru. Now Sam Pitroda responded to these allegations on Wednesday. He said that he does not have land, a house, or any stock in India.
Sam Pitroda wrote on Instagram that given the recent reports in television and print media in India, I want to clearly state that I do not have any land, house, or shares in India.
Worked in the government... but did not take a salary
Pitroda further said that I never took any salary while working with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the mid-1980s and Dr. Manmohan Singh from 2004 to 2014. Pitroda further said that I have never given or accepted bribes in India or any other country in my 83 years of life. This is the complete and irrefutable truth.
Complaint to ED and Lokayukta
BJP leader NR Ramesh had alleged that Sam Pitroda illegally acquired 12.35 acres of government land in Yelahanka, Bengaluru with the help of 5 senior government officials including forest department officials. The value of this land is Rs 150 crore. Ramesh is a former councilor of the Greater Bangalore Municipal Corporation (BBMP). He has filed a complaint against Pitroda with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Karnataka Lokayukta.
Allegation - Land obtained in the name of conservation of medicinal plants
In the complaint to the ED, BJP leader Ramesh said that Pitroda had registered an organization called Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Tradition (FRLHT) on 23 October 1993 in the office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies in Mumbai, Maharashtra. According to Ramesh, Pitroda requested the Karnataka State Forest Department to allot a reserved forest area on lease for the conservation and research of medicinal plants.
The lease extended for 10 years.
Ramesh claims that on Pitroda's request, the department allotted five hectares (12.35 acres) of reserved forest land in 'B' block of Jarakabande Kaval in Bengaluru in 1996 on a five-year lease. Ramesh has claimed that the initial 5-year lease given to FRLHT expired in 2001. After this, the Karnataka Forest Department extended it for another 10 years.
The lease ended in 2011
The BJP leader said that the lease given to Pitroda's FRLHT expired on 2 December 2011. After this, the forest department should have taken possession of this valuable government land. However, the forest department officials did not make any effort to take back the land in the last 14 years. The BJP leader appealed to the ED to register a criminal case against those involved in the alleged land grab.
iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 17 Pro: Major Camera Upgrade or Just Hype? Check the Differences
Apple's upcoming Pro iPhone is expected to bring significant camera changes, according to recent
Former Indian team off-spinner R Ashwin announced his retirement from IPL on 27 August. 38-year-o
The Odisha government has directed the authorities of the private institute KIIT to take action a
Apple Releases New Update; Charging and Shutdown Issues Fixed
Apple has officially released the new iOS 26.5.1 and macOS 26.5.1 updates for iPhone and Mac user
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make. While securing a home l
In Operation Sindoor, carried out by the Indian armed forces, 10 members of the family of the ter
Heatwave Alert: Simple Tips to Protect Your AC, Fridge, and Smartphone From Overheating This Summer
As temperatures continue to soar across the country, people are taking precautions at every level to
Rishabh Pant also faced the same fate as Rahul, LSG owner rebuked him in the middle of the ground?
In the 13th match of IPL 2025, Lucknow Super Giants had to face defeat by 8 wickets at the hands
Gold Silver Price Today: Decline seen in bullion market; Silver falls by ₹2600, Gold cheaper by ₹960
Gold and silver prices fell on Tuesday after two sessions of gains. Gold fell by ₹960 to ₹1.5
Former Dharmadhikari of Badrinath Bhuvan Chandra Uniyal has condemned the statement given by Hind