KIADB Land Allotment Scam: Another Private Complaint Filed Against Kharge Family

Bangalore Mail Staff Reporter

Bengaluru (Aug 2): A fresh private complaint has been filed in the Special Court for People’s Representatives seeking an investigation by the Lokayukta Police against AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and his family members over alleged irregular land allotment in Devanahalli.

The complaint, filed by Vijayraghav Marathe, State President of the Corruption-Free Karnataka Forum, alleges that five acres of land in the Aerospace Park area of Devanahalli were illegally granted by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) to Siddharth Vihar Trust, which is reportedly linked to the Kharge family. The petitioner has also requested the court to direct the registration of an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Who Has Been Named in the Complaint?

The complaint names several individuals, including:
• Mallikarjun Kharge
• His wife, Radhabai M. Kharge
• His son, Minister Priyank Kharge
• His other son, Rahul M. Kharge
• His son-in-law, Radhakrishna
• Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil
• KIADB officials

Senior advocate Lakshmi Iyengar, representing the complainant, presented arguments before the court on Friday. The court has now adjourned the matter to August 5 for the next hearing.

What Is the Case About?

According to the complaint, Siddharth Vihar Trust—owned by the Kharge family—applied to KIADB on February 7, 2024, seeking a Civic Amenities (CA) plot in Devanahalli’s Aerospace Park to establish an R&D Centre, a Centre of Excellence, and a Training Centre. On May 30, 2024, KIADB allegedly approved the allotment of five acres of land to the trust.

The complainant claims the allotment violated rules, stating that the application was incomplete and that KIADB officials sanctioned the land without due verification. He has urged the court to direct Lokayukta Police to register an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 314, 316, and 61.

Another Complaint from 2014

This is not the only complaint against the Kharge family. Vijayraghav Marathe has also filed a separate complaint related to the alleged illegal transfer of two acres of CA land in BTM Layout 4th Stage, 2nd Block, in 2014.

The court will hear both matters in the coming days, potentially setting the stage for a high-profile legal battle.