Bhoopasandra de-notification case: Governor studying complaint against CM

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, who is eyeing a second term as the CM in 2018 Assembly polls, may be in for a shock if Governor Vajubhai R. Vala gives his nod for prosecuting the CM in Bhoopasandra land de-notification case. The Opposition BJP, which has sought the Governor’s sanction to prosecute the CM in connection with the alleged land de-notification, seems to be letting no opportunity go waste in targeting the CM ahead of the forthcoming Assembly polls. Governor Vala, after thoroughly studying the BJP’s complaint on land de-notification, is said to have consulted Raj Bhavan officials and legal experts on the merits of the case for the past three days before leaving for his home State Gujarat last night. Sources said that Siddharamaiah may land in deep trouble if the Governor sanctions prosecution of the CM in the case. BJP MLC B.J. Puttaswamy, in his complaint with the Governor, said that the BDA had acquired land at Bhoopasandra for developing RMV second stage in 1978. The BDA, after forming the layout, had allotted sites after collecting money from site aspirants. However, some persons moved the Supreme Court against the land aqcuisition at Bhoopasandra. The Apex Court which heard the case, had upheld the land acquisition. But a land owner by name Jayalakshmamma, who had issued GPA to Keertiraj Shetty, petitioned the High Court on Nov.30, 2015 questioning the primary notification for land acquisition. The High Court which heard the case, cancelled the primary notification in an order passed in Feb. 2016. However, the BDA which questioned the HC order, later backtracked and withdrew its review petition, which raised many eyebrows. Meanwhile, speculations are rife in political circles about the involvement of CM Siddharamaiah, Bengaluru Development Minister K.J. George and IAS Officer Mahendra Jain in the land de-notification case.