NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / Politics News / BJP leader accuses Sam Pitroda of illegally occupying forest land 
    Summarize
    Next Article
    BJP leader accuses Sam Pitroda of illegally occupying forest land 
    Pitroda has been accused of land grabbing

    BJP leader accuses Sam Pitroda of illegally occupying forest land 

    By Snehil Singh
    Feb 24, 2025
    04:53 pm

    What's the story

    Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader NR Ramesh has filed a complaint against Congress leader Sam Pitroda, accusing him of illegally occupying 12.35 acres of reserve forest land in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, since 1991.

    The complaint was submitted to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Lokayukta.

    Ramesh alleges that Pitroda initially secured the land under the pretext of medicinal research but did not renew the lease after 2011.

    Land misuse

    Pitroda accused of misusing land for pharmaceutical activities

    This unauthorized use allegedly generated an annual profit of ₹5-6 crore.

    The complaint indicates that the land was used for private pharmaceutical benefits instead of its intended purpose of conservation and research.

    The complaint also names five other accused, including former and current Karnataka Forest Department officials: Javed Akhtar, RK Singh, Sanjay Mohan, N Ravindran Kumar, and SS Ravishankar.

    Lease violation

    Pitroda's foundation continued operations despite lease expiration

    As per the complaint, Pitroda registered the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT) in Mumbai in 1991.

    He then obtained a lease from the Karnataka State Forest Department for "Conservation of Medicinal Herbal Plants & Research."

    The lease was granted for five years initially and was approved by the Karnataka Forest Department and Union Ministry of Forest, Ecology, and Environment.

    Lease expiration

    Lease extension expired in 2011, no further renewal granted

    In 2001, the lease was extended for another 10 years, which expired in December 2011. No further extension was granted after this period, making FRLHT's continued occupation of the land unlawful.

    However, it is alleged that the land continued to be used for commercial pharmaceutical purposes.

    After the lease's expiration, the Karnataka government attempted to reclaim the land, but Ramesh claims Pitroda used political influence to block any action.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    Enforcement Directorate (ED)
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    Congress Party

    Latest

    'Nice to be back': Kevin Spacey receives award in Cannes Academy Awards
    Suniel Shetty: No 'Hera Pheri 3' without Paresh Rawal  Paresh Rawal
    This Honda scooter costs a whopping ₹12L: Check its features Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India
    'Gandhis enjoyed ₹142cr in proceeds': ED in National Herald case   Rahul Gandhi

    Enforcement Directorate (ED)

    Mahadev betting app mastermind Saurabh Chandrakar arrested in Dubai Dubai
    Raj Kundra reacts after interim relief in ED eviction notice Bombay High Court
    ED raids MUDA office amid land allotment row involving Siddaramaiah Siddaramaiah
    AAP leader Satyendar Jain gets bail in money laundering case Satyendar Jain

    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

    ECI withholding voters' data, alleges Kejriwal; launches website for 'transparency' Arvind Kejriwal
    Delhi polls: BJP reclaims capital after 27 years   Arvind Kejriwal
    Delhi's middle class, Purvanchali voters ditch AAP for BJP Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
    AAP defector Kailash Gahlot leading in Bijwasan, Surender Bhardwaj trailing  Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

    Congress Party

    Congress under fire over 'blank' Constitution copies at Rahul event Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    BJP's 'batenge toh katenge' won't work in Maharashtra: Ajit Pawar Ajit Pawar
    After wife, son, 5-time Congress MLA Mateen Ahmed joins AAP Delhi
    'Misunderstood...': Ajit on row over Adani's 'presence' during BJP-NCP talks  Gautam Adani
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025