Karnataka HC grants interim stay on SIT probe against Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High court on Thursday issued an interim stay on the Special Task Force (STF) probe into land encroachment allegations against Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy.

The order was passed by a bench led by Justice E.S. Indiresh while hearing a petition filed by Kumaraswamy, who challenged the legality of the SIT probe. In his plea, the Union Minister argued that the investigation was invalid as the SIT had been constituted without a formal government notification. He requested the court to nullify all actions taken by the SIT in the matter.

Senior advocates Uday Holla and N.V. Nishanth represented Kumaraswamy during the proceedings.

The SIT was formed in January by the Karnataka government to look into alleged land encroachment in Ketaganahalli village near Bidadi, on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

The Tehsildar had earlier ordered the removal of encroachment on six acres of government land in Ketaganahalli village, a case now under scrutiny. The Karnataka government appointed senior IAS officer Amlan Aditya Biswas to head the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the matter.

The allegations concern encroachment of 14.04 acres of land across survey numbers 8, 9, 10, 16, and 79. The SIT includes the Joint Director of Survey, Settlement and Land Records, the Additional Bengaluru Regional Commissioner, a Tahsildar, and a Tahsildar Grade-2 serving as member secretary.

Formed on January 28, the SIT was given a three-month deadline to complete its probe. Its mandate includes verifying land documents linked to the mentioned survey numbers and initiating action to clear any illegal occupation.

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has denied the allegations, claiming that the Congress-led Karnataka government is targeting him over accusations related to encroachment of approximately 14 acres of government land.

Kumaraswamy alleged that the state government was deliberately conducting a survey of the disputed Ketaganahalli land to implicate him. “I am ready to face any investigation. I have all the documents to prove that the land is my property,” he asserted.

He further stated, “I purchased the Ketaganahalli land 40 years ago. The property has been surveyed more than 10 times, and multiple investigations have been conducted. I have been cleared of all charges. I am open to any probe, but a few local Congress leaders are trying to turn this into an issue.”

Speaking about the ongoing probe, Kumaraswamy said, “The investigation into my property was completed. Let them submit the report – I have nothing to fear. They are making an issue out of land that was purchased four decades ago.”

The Karnataka government has maintained that the investigation into the alleged encroachment has been conducted on the orders of the High Court.

(inputs from IANS)