JD(S) demands CBI probe into denotification issue

JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy today sought a CBI inquiry into Arkavathi Layout land de-notification, an issue on which the Opposition has targeted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleging irregularities.
"Finding out the quantum of financial loss because of this is not possible by the commission, CBI has to investigate... Today big cases have come out because of CBI; if Siddaramaiah is transparent and truthful why is he scared of CBI inquiry," Kumaraswamy told reporters here.
"... If Siddaramaiah has to come out of this black mark he should be open to any kind of inquiry," he added.

Facing the heat from the BJP, Karnataka Government in August had announced a Commission of Inquiry headed by former High Court Judge H S Kempanna into the Arkavathi Layout land de-notification issue.
BJP, which is the principal opposition party in the state, has been insisting on a CBI inquiry into alleged corruption pertaining to denotification of 541 acres in Arkavati Layout by the Bangalore Development Authority.
Recently at a press conference, former chief minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Jagadish Shettar had said that the party is looking at legal options on the issue, including seeking prosecution permission from the Governor.

Accusing the Siddaramaiah government of not co-operating with the commission by not submitting required documents to it, Kumaraswamy said he would hand over the documents that he has collected on the issue to the Judicial commission shortly.
"When Siddaramaiah claims he is not involved in any kind of wrong doing and he has not de-notified any land, why he is not submitting the required files to the commission," he questioned.