Land encroachment: HC stays SIT probe against Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday stayed an investigation by a special investigation team (SIT) into the charges of land encroachment by union minister HD Kumaraswamy at Kethaganahalli village in Bidadi, in Benglauru South (Ramanagar) district.

The Lok Sabha MP from Mandya has challenged the SIT summons in the high court.


Justice ES Indiresh, while hearing the petition, noted that the government has not followed up with a formal notification after setting up the SIT by an order on January 28. The Judge stayed the formation of the SIT and the summons issued by it to Kumaraswamy. The court also ordered notices to the revenue department and Ramanagar Tahsildar.

The SIT has been headed by IAS officer Amlan Aditya Biwas and consists of survey and revenue officials.

Senior advocate Uday Holla appeared for the union minister and highlighted the procedural lapses by the government after ordering the SIT probe in January this year.

Kumaraswamy has earlier denied charges of encroachment saying he bought the plot in 1984 with the money he earned from his film distribution business, and said the government had brought up the charges now to target him politically.