Bengaluru, Sept.17: In a setback to the ruling BJP, a case has been filed against the Karnataka government before the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Governor’s office in a land deal worth Rs 1,500 crore to Bengaluru.
State Chairman of the Forum for the Protection of Human Rights and Eradication of Corruption, Dr Raghavendra SR, who had lodged the complaint, said on Saturday that the ruling BJP was ready to “hand over 75 acres of land to private parties with vested interests”.
The disputed land belongs to the Jakkur Airfield located in the heart of the city of Bengaluru on the road to Bengaluru International Airport. The airfield has 221 acres of land donated by former Mysuru Maharajas to train pilots at affordable prices.
Raghavendra alleged that “the Karnataka Ministry of Sports was determined to continue aircraft landings and take-offs, simply to foster a public-private partnership (PPP) for a 50-acre commercial project and a 25-acre flying club with private parts”
“Besides a huge loss to the public treasury, the lives of thousands of people residing near Jakkur airfield will be seriously threatened if such a decision is implemented,” he explained.
Referring to a plane crash on July 18, he said the plane missed the Shobha Emerald Villas by a few meters otherwise many lives would have been lost that day.
“The Jakkur Flight School attempted to cover up this incident, which the DGCA is currently investigating. This further reinforces that the airfield must not continue to operate and must be closed immediately,” Raghavendra concluded.
