BJP leader accuses Sam Pitroda of illegally occupying forest land
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.