Bangalore :Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday ordered a judicial investigation into the alleged denotification of 541 acres in the remodified Arkavathy Layout but dismissed the Opposition’s demand for a CBI probe.
In response to a dharna by the BJP in the Legislative Assembly, which continued for the third day yesterday, the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday ordered a judicial investigation into the alleged denotification of 541 acres in the remodified Arkavathy Layout. He however refused to order a CBI probe.
The BJP did not allow the Chief minister to speak. Amidst the cacophony, the chief minister said that the denotifications made by the Bangalore Development Authority from 2003 till date would be probed. He further said that the terms of reference for the judicial commission would be notified soon.
Despite the announcement of a judicial probe, the BJP continued to engage the government on the subject and in response, Siddaramaiah said: “ I have not committed any blunder. There is no question of referring the issue to the CBI. I have already ordered a judicial probe. The BJP was in power for five years. The Congress had demanded a CBI probe into several scams by the BJP. But it did not agree even once.
The BJP alleged that as the CM, he had signed the file pertaining to the denotification on March 31 and is therefore directly involved. On the other hand the CM said that Shettar, as chief minister, had been responsible for preparing the modified Arkavathy Layout plan by denotifying 541 acres. He said that “ Now Shettar is making noise to cover up his blunders. The judicial probe will bring out the truth. As the situation (in the House) is not conducive, I will table my reply,” he said.
Later, speaking to the media, Siddaramaiah said: “Despite announcing that the government is ready for a probe by three agencies — the CID, a Joint House Committee or a judicial probe – the BJP?is trying to get political mileage by demanding a CBI?probe. The same party till recently used to term the CBI?as the Congress Bureau of Investigation.”
Asked why he did not want to hand over the investigation to the CBI, Siddaramaiah said: “When we have competent investigating agencies in the State, why give it to the CBI?”
