Karnataka Minister accused of land grab, named in chargesheet
The Hindu
Following a court’s direction, Lokayukta police of Ballari filed a chargesheet against various persons, including Transport Minister B. Sreeramulu who has been named as accused in a land grab case pertaining to 27.25 acres in Ballari. The case has been transferred to the designated Court of Peoples Representatives in Bengaluru
S. R. Hiremath, president of Samaj Parivartana Samudaya (SPS) and Citizens For Democracy (CFD), has demanded the resignation of Transport Minister B. Sreeramulu as he has been named as accused in a land grab case pertaining to 27.25 acres in Ballari. The social activist also demanded an impartial probe.
Releasing documents related to the case at a media conference in Hubballi on May 13, Mr. Hiremath said that a study team of National Committee for Protection of Natural Resources (NCPNR) and Jan Sangram Parishat (JSP) unearthed documents pertaining to a case of land grab (of 27.25 acres) allegedly by creating fake documents involving the Transport Minister.
Following a court’s direction, the Lokayukta police of Ballari filed a chargesheet against various persons, including Mr. Sreeramulu. The case had been transferred to the designated court of Peoples Representatives established by the government in Bengaluru.
“MLA of Molakalmuru and Minister Mr. Sreeramulu has been named as accused No. 6 in the chargesheet in the case dating back to 2002. Such being the case, Mr. Sreeramulu should immediately resign from his post,” he said.
Mr. Hiremath accused the Minister of creating false documents to take control of the land of which a 10-acre portion was acquired by the Karnataka Government for construction of a canal.
Following a private complaint by an individual, Principal District and Sessions Judge at Ballari had directed the Lokayukta police of Ballari to file a report. The Lokayukta police had registered crime No. 9/2013. “The Principal District and Sessions Judge, Ballari transferred the case to the court of Peoples Representative in Bengaluru on March 3, 2022. Molakalmuru MLA B. Sreeramulu has been named as accused No. 6 in the case,” Mr. Hiremath said.
Mr. Hiremath wants the Karnataka Government to set up an independent inquiry committee, headed by the likes of former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, to carry out an impartial inquiry. He wants the Minister to resign till completion of the investigation.
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