Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Bangalore, June 27: The income tax department sleuths carried out raids at the city’s prominent land developers and builders in city and suburbs on Tuesday June 26. Some of them are reported to have close ties with CM Kumaraswamy's family.
A strong 28 member team comprising 187 officials, conducted simultaneous raids at 25 offices and residences of builders and developers. More than a crore of rupees in cash and incriminating documents pertaining to investments have been recovered.
Kumaraswamy's family members are said to have a stake in some of the firms raided. Many developers, including Reddy Veeranna, Manjunath and Kuppendra Reddy are said to have close ties with the CM's family.
Replying to a query on the raids, Kumaraswamy did admit that Manjunath of Gottigere was a JD(S) worker. "I know there is an IT raid. But it is not correct to connect names. Check with those who are spreading these rumours. The Congress knows with whom these people (whose houses were raided) play cards at night," he stated.
According to the official release of the I-T dept (HQ, investigation) a seizure of more than a crore of cash had been made. Huge incriminating documents of property transactions had been recovered. Investments into which as per preliminary estimate, would run into several crores. Moreover other documents indicating substantial investments in banks had also come to light.
Some places where the raids were conducted: Kuppendra Reddy's house (on 15th C Main in HSR Layout IV Sector) and office, Sapphire Infrastructure Development Pvt Ltd at Koramangala; house of Reddy Veeranna at RMV Extension and his office at Richmond Town; and residence of Manjunath in Gottigere. Tension prevailed near Manjunath's house when his supporters blocked the road and gathered around the house. As per IT officials Manjunath had transacted Rs 4.5 crore in the last 20 days.
The state government’s unusual blessings can be seen by it clearing two mega-projects in the city, favouring one each to Kuppendra Reddy and Reddy Veeranna. In 2005-2006, the government had approved the Rs 581.6-crore project on 158 acres to Kuppendra Reddy at Yamare village, Anekal taluk, Bangalore Urban district.
Reddy is the originator of Surya Park, IT/BT park, at Electronic City and Eco Park on Outer Ring Road. Surya Park is for GE Capital and HP Digital Services. He owns more than five cars, including a BMW, is constructing a palatial bungalow in HSR Layout which is estimated at Rs 8 crore. Presently he is staying in a rented house on 15th C Main in HSR 4th Sector, paying Rs 75,000 as rent as per sources.