Union Steel minister Kumaraswamy targets Karnataka CM Shivakumar over HMT land diversion in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Union Steel & Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday accused Chief Minister DK Shivakumar of complicity over the diversion of large tracts of HMT land in Bengaluru during his tenure as Karnataka's urban development minister between 1999 and 2004.

Kumaraswamy said he had directed ministry officials to prepare a comprehensive report on the alleged alienation of 175 acres of HMT land during the period, claiming that substantial portions had subsequently been transferred to private entities and developed into residential and commercial projects.

"Once I receive the report from the officials, appropriate action and a thorough investigation will follow," he said.


Earlier in the day, the Union minister inspected several disputed land parcels and held a review meeting with senior HMT officials, directing them to submit a detailed report on all alleged irregularities relating to the land.

He also visited residential projects that, according to him, had come up on erstwhile HMT land, including Aquila Heights, Prestige Kensington Gardens, KKR AMR Rubee Apartments and other apartment complexes. Senior officials from the Ministry of Heavy Industries accompanied him during the inspection.

Alleging collusion between former HMT officials and influential persons in the state government, Kumaraswamy questioned whether the Karnataka government was prepared to reclaim the land.

In an apparent reference to Shivakumar, he said the person now advocating the proposed Bidadi township had played a key role in facilitating the transfer of HMT land to private entities while serving as urban development minister.

"I want to tell the people of Karnataka very clearly that the same individual who is aggressively pursuing the Bidadi township today played a pivotal role in allowing valuable HMT land to pass into private hands," Kumaraswamy alleged.

Displaying maps and documents before the media, he claimed to possess details of those who had benefited from the transactions and asked the chief minister to explain how private apartment complexes were allowed to come up on HMT land.

Kumaraswamy also said several apartment projects on the disputed land continued to face legal hurdles. Many apartment owners had approached him seeking help as they were yet to receive khatas or e-Khatas after purchasing flats without complete legal clearances, he said.