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Journalism of Courage
The Karnataka government will form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe irregularities in land acquisitions carried out for the Bengaluru Development and Irrigation Departments. The decision followed a meeting on the pending cases of the two departments, both handled by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Addressing reporters Saturday, he said the Revenue Department had ordered an investigation within Bengaluru limits, and found that officials and members of the legal team delayed matters by failing to file applications on time.”We have instructed that a report be submitted on this issue… Along with this, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed to probe where and how conspiracies have taken place,” Shivakumar said. Similarly, lapses in handling Irrigation Department cases will also be looked into, the minister said, noting that the department’s pending cases in various courts numbered 61,843.
Departmental inquiries have been ordered against officials who neglected their duties, and they will be suspended from service. The lawyers who failed to file court applications on time and committed dereliction of duty will be dismissed.
“We have decided to hold both officials and lawyers accountable. Strict action will be taken against all those involved in this matter,” Shivakumar said.
In some cases, although the Revenue Department carried out the land acquisition process, the responsibility to pay compensation lies with various corporations under the Irrigation Department.
“In such cases, proceedings are being conducted without making these corporations parties to the case. For such matters, we are filing writ petitions in the High Court. In the Supreme Court, we are filing SLP (Special Leave Petition), and in some cases, we are moving to withdraw them,” he said.
There are instances in which, if the department fixed compensation at Rs 9 lakh, courts have issued orders based on petitions to pay compensation of Rs 9 crore, Rs 10 crore, Rs 15 crore, and even Rs 20 crore, he said.
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