The probe is seen as retaliation against the JD-S chief and his sons who have repeatedly leveled charges against Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa and his administration.
In a tit-for-tat offensive against the family members of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, the BJP government in Karnataka today ordered a probe into certain land deals said to have been made by the Gowda family.
Hitting back at the JD-S chief and his sons, who have repeatedly leveled charges against Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, the ruling government began an enquiry into grant of 82.10 acres of government land in Paduvalahippe village in Hassan district, allegedly in violation of Land Reforms Act.
The land secured included 4.39 acres of tank, which was breached and converted into a farm in the name of Gowda's wife Chennamma, and later transferred to his son H D Revanna.
Giving details of the probe against the Gowda family, BJ Puttaswamy, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, said revenue authorities in the Bangalore division had served a notice on H Kavitha, wife of HD Balakrishna Gowda, eldest son of Gowda, for purchasing 8.06 acres at Chikkagubbi village on the city outskirts.
She has been asked to appear for enquiry along with documents on February 23.
"The lands purchased by family members of Gowda are in violation of Land Revenue Act Section 79 A, which bars anyone having non-agricultural income exceeding Rs two lakh from buying agricultural lands," Puttaswamy said. "All those who have purchased lands are Income Tax assesses and cannot purchase lands."
Notices have also been issued to Gowda's other son, former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who has purchased 21.36 acres near Bidadi in Ramanagara district and another piece of land measuring 22.21 acres in the same area, which he got as 'gift' from his mother-in-law Vimala.
Puttasamy said the above lands belong to SC/ST people which was granted by the government and purchase of these lands by others was violative of rules.
Kumaraswamy has also been slapped with a notice for purchasing 6.38 acres from a SC person. Vimala was given a notice, stating that she violated rules
by purchasing lands.
The BJP has accused JD-S of colluding with Congress to topple the first ever BJP government in the south.
"Revanna and Kumaraswamy have been repeatedly saying they would retire from politics if anyone proved allegations of illegal land grabbing and irregularities in purchase of lands by them. Now I have proved it with documentary evidence. When will they retire from politics," Puttaswamy said.
Housing Minister V Somanna, who was also present charged that Devegowda has been "intolerant" to Chief Ministers from the majority Lingayat community. He had troubled S R Bommai, J H Patel, S Nijalingappa and now Yeddyurappa, he said.
Sommana said the mud slinging politics should come to an end and asked Revanna to prove his charge with documents that Yeddyurappa had purchased lands worth Rs 1,000 crore in the last 50 months.
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