Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 10: The enforcement directorate (ED) has recovered the compensation amount received by the Church of South India (CSI) by disposing off defence land to Bengaluru Metro.

The ED has ordered State Bank of India's Sudhama Nagar branch to hand over Rs 59.52 crore standing in the name of the Church of South India Trust Association, under the illegal money laundering act. This amount was kept in the form of term deposit.

All Saints Church (file photo)

The land belonging to the defence department had been given to All Saints Church here for religious purposes. But the ownership rested with the defence department. Out of this, 7,421.886 metres land was handed over to the Bengaluru Metro by the CSI. As compensation, it had received Rs 59.52 crore. A case had thereafter been filed contending this to be illegal.

During the investigation, it became clear that the church did not own this land. Moreover, it was given only for religious purposes. Therefore, the compensation should have gone to the defence department. Therefore, the ED said it had recovered the compensation amount.