Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jul 12: Karnataka chief minister, Siddaramaiah, who had asserted that there is no question of dropping minister for minor irrigation, Shivaraj Tangadi, now faces the need to take a decision about allowing prosecution of Tangadagi. An advocate named N P Amrutesh, on Thursday July 11, sought permission from the chief minister to sue the said minister.

Tangadagi has been accused of supporting his brother’s action in encroaching upon a piece of land belonging to someone else, falsely getting that land registered in his name, and constructing a bungalow there. The advocate has sought permission under Anti Corruption Act 1988. For Siddaramaiah, who declared immediately after taking over power that he will never tolerate corruption in the state, this will be a crucial decision to take. He has to tread carefully, in view of the judgments delivered by the Supreme Court in certain earlier cases like these.

Tangadi also happens to be the in-charge minister for Koppal district. It is said that he intervened in an inquiry relating to land grab case filed by a person against the minister’s younger brother, when it was before the court of the deputy commissioner of the district. The advocate wants to file criminal suit against Tangadagi for influencing the deputy commissioner on behalf of his younger brother, Sangappa Tangadai.

The deputy commissioner was transferred out of the district all of a sudden, but before her transfer, she pronounced the judgment favouring the petitioner and holding that the land in Sangappa Tangadagi’s name was illegally registered.