Misuse of power: Case against former K'taka CM Gowda

A complaint was filed against former Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and seven other government officials, including the chief secretary, before the Lokayukta court on Wednesday for alleged misuse of power to grab property.

Judge N K Sudhindra Rao posted the complaint filed by social activist C R Nagaraj to October 17 for orders.

The complainant submitted that in 1975, government of Mysore had allotted 910 sites in rural areas to those without sites under a government scheme.

In 2003, Bangalore Development Authority issued a preliminary notification to acquire the land for extension of a layout in Bangalore north taluk and a preliminary notification on April 8, 2003.

BDA allotted 10 acres to two educational trusts before the final notification and passed the final one on September 9, 2003.

In 2006, the site allotees challenged both the order of allotment and preliminary notification in the high court, which termed it as "illegal" and directed government to give alternate land to the educational trusts.

The trusts and the BDA challenged the order, which was dismissed by the court.

Based on the earlier High Court order, alternate land was granted to a trust at Avveranahalli in Bangalore north taluk.

The trust made a representation to government, requesting that it be allotted the same land, which was rejected. It again moved Court in 2009, which then directed government to consider the matter "in accordance with law".

Nagaraj alleged that the then special deputy commissioner Bangalore Urban district, G S Naik bypassed all orders and prepared a report on September 28, 2011, recommending grant of land to one of the trusts, which the cabinet okayed on June 26, 2012, when Sadananda Gowda was chief minister.

Later Deputy Commissioner Bangalore Urban M K Ayyappa filed a complaint before police, directing them to protect the land by building a compound wall.

Nagaraj alleged that all the seven who are public servants and are expected to protect the property of citizens had 'misused' their power to create a report contrary to the court orders to grab the land.