In a more embarrassment for the ruling BJP in Karnataka, Lokayukta Police today registered an FIR against the Industries Minister, Mr Murugesh Nirani, in connection with alleged irregularities in denotification of lands acquired for industrial purposes.
Eight others, including Mr Nirani’s brother Mr H.R. Nirani, have also been named as accused in the FIR registered following a direction from the Lokayukta court.
The FIR has been registered on a complaint by industrialist Mr Alam Pasha of Pasha Space International, who accused Mr Nirani of denotifying 20 acres near Devanahalli and 100 acres near Dabaspet near Tumkur, Lokayukta Superintendent of Police, Mr Shivakumar, told PTI.
Mr Pasha, in his complaint before the Lokayukta special court, has alleged that Mr Nirani denotified lands acquired by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board by violating rules, which the minister has rejected.
Mr Nirani is the second minister in the BJP Ministry led by the Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, against whom the Lokayukta Police has registered FIR after the Home and Transport Minister, Mr R. Ashoka, who also faces allegations of securing denotification of government land for personal gain.
The Lokayukta Police action comes on the eve of BJP leader Mr L.K. Advani’s yatra entering the state.
The Lokayukta Police filed the FIR against Mr Ashoka, former Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, and two others on October 21 on a complaint against them.
Mr Yeddyurappa is already in judicial custody since October 15 following his arrest in two cases relating to irregularities in denotification of land.