NICE row: Gowda for impartial enquiry

Former Prime Minister Deve Gowda said there is no need for a CBI enquiry into ‘irregularities’ of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise, (NICE), promoters of the controversial Bangalore-Mysore Expressway, as the matter is pending before the Supreme Court.

“It is not the appropriate time to demand a CBI enquiry into NICE issue as the matter is in Supreme Court. For now the government can initiate impartial enquiry into it and submit related documents before the Court,” he said after meeting Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on the issue.

He demanded that the government file relevant documents in the Apex Court to ‘expose NICE irregularities.’ He alleged that the government and KIADB had acquired about 2,550 acres for peripheral and link roads, including 1,100 acres in excess to suit requirement of lands demanded by ICICI Bank, which had extended loans to NICE.

Gowda also charged KIADB with selling lands acquired for Toll Road in favour of NICE conveying absolute ownership “on the basis of a fraudulent order of stamp duty exemption in violation of framework agreement.”

He alleged that the private lands acquired for toll road was put for sale by NICE. However, government had not taken any action to prevent the sale, he added.

During his meeting with the Chief Minister, he placed certain documents before him, which he claimed pertained to frauds committed by NICE.

“The Chief Minister assured me he would look into the documents and take action accordingly,” Gowda said.