Probe ordered into Gowda’s land deals

In a tit-for-tat offensive against the family members of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, the BJP government in Karnataka on Thursday ordered a probe into certain land deals said to have been made by them.

In a tit-for-tat offensive against the family members of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, the BJP government in Karnataka on Thursday ordered a probe into certain land deals said to have been made by them.

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Hitting back at the JD(S) chief and his sons, who have been repeatedly levelling charges against chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, the 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 HD Revanna.

Giving details of the probe against the Gowda family, BJ Puttaswamy, Political Secretary to the chief minister, told reporters that revenue authorities in Bangalore division had served a notice on H Kavitha, wife of H D 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 2 lakh from buying agricultural lands. All those who have purchased lands are income tax assesses and cannot purchase lands,” he said.