No Response on Land Scam; BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar Walks Out of Press Conference

Thiruvananthapuram: BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar refused to respond to questions from journalists regarding the alleged multi-crore land scam in Karnataka. During a press conference, he avoided repeated queries about the corruption allegations linked to his family. When pressed by reporters, Rajeev said the issue was an attempt to divert attention from the accusations he had raised and remarked that “some criminals have infiltrated the media.” BJP general secretary S. Suresh lashed out at the journalists who questioned Rajeev, leading to an abrupt end to the press conference as party leaders walked out.
A recent television report had revealed that land allotted at a nominal price by the Karnataka government through the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) to BPL India Ltd. for setting up an industry was later sold by Rajeev Chandrasekhar and his family for massive profits. The report alleged that the family made nearly 500 crore rupees by reselling 175 acres of land originally meant for industrial development.
A Bengaluru-based lawyer K. N. Jagadeesh Kumar has filed complaints in both the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court demanding that the land be reclaimed. In his petition, he expressed concern that any investigation by central agencies might be undermined and alleged that he faced threats to his life for pursuing the matter. He also requested protection and sent copies of his complaint to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), urging the Chief Minister to appoint a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct a fair probe.
According to the complaint, Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s wife Anjali, brother Ajit Nambiar, and father-in-law Gopal Nambiar had together purchased the land in Dobbaspet, Nelamangala, in 1995. The property, which was leased for industrial purposes, was mortgaged to raise loans and later sold for commercial gain. The condition that an industry must be set up within three years of allotment was not fulfilled, and the land remained idle for years before being resold in parts.
Records cited in the complaint show that in 2011, 87 acres were sold to Maruti Suzuki for 275.45 crore rupees, and in 2009–10, another 33 acres were sold to the same company for 31 crore rupees. Additionally, in 2011, BOC India Ltd. purchased over three acres for 4 crore rupees, while Jindal Aluminium Ltd. bought 25 acres for 33.5 crore rupees.
The complaint further alleges that Rajeev Chandrasekhar is attempting to suppress the case and that the Congress government in Karnataka has so far failed to intervene in the matter.