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.
The scorching heat in North India has made life difficult for people. At the same time, the Meteo
During the first ODI between India and New Zealand on Sunday, the most talked-about moment among
The nation is all set to celebrate its 77th Republic Day. As every year, a grand parade and speci
On Monday, April 6, a significant decline is being recorded in the prices of gold and silver. Aro
The second phase of the ongoing encroachment removal campaign in the Chandola area of Ahmed
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on various national c
The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party suffered setbacks in the by-elections held in
Corona cases have started increasing once again in the country. After Kerala, Karnataka, there is
The Bengal trio of Mukesh Kumar (4/16), Akash Deep (4/32), and Mohammed Shami (2/14) bowled out J
Rainfall in Delhi-NCR since Friday morning has suddenly changed the weather. Strong winds accompa
