Tag Archives: Kodagu

Drdo

CBI carries out searches in Rs 500 crore land scam

Leave a comment

THE ASIAN AGE. Published : May 16, 2017, 3:21 am IST Updated : May 16, 2017, 3:21 am IST
The vigilance department of the defence ministry had pegged the scam to be of Rs 500 crore.

Case is related to an alleged fraud by Lt. Col. M.G. Thimmaya (the then estate manager, DRDO) and a property developer N.H. Rustumji.

New Delhi: The CBI on Monday conducted searches at seven locations, including the officials and residential premises of an Army officer, in an alleged land fraud believed to be worth Rs 500 crore.

According to sources, the case is related to an alleged fraud by Lt. Col. M.G. Thimmaya (the then estate manager, DRDO) and a property developer N.H. Rustumji. Lt. Col. Thimmaya allegedly gave a joint memo before the court in the land dispute matter which was different from that cleared by the Defence Ministry.

Talking to reporters here CBI Spokesperson said, “The allegation is related to criminal conspiracy between accused during the year 2004-06, pursuant to which the officer abused his official position and cheated the government through the transfer of 12 acres 1 gunta of land in favour of a private person against the decision taken by the ministry of defence”.

The agency on Monday carried out searches at the residential and official premises of Lt. Col. Thimmaya, now with defence ministry in Hyderabad, and Rustumji in Bengaluru and district Kodagu. The vigilance department of the defence ministry had pegged the scam to be of Rs 500 crore. “The agency sleuths recovered several incriminating documents during searches. These documents are being scrutinised. They have been booked under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act,” sources said. The agency will soon call Lt. Col. Thimmaya and Mr Rustumji for questioning.

Drdo

Army officer, DRDO officials booked for ‘misappropriation’ of land worth Rs 500 crore

Leave a comment

TNN | May 16, 2017, 05.11 AM IST

NEW DELHI: The CBI has registered a case against an Army officer, a private person and unknown DRDO officials for allegedly misappropriating land worth Rs 500 crore in Bengaluru, meant for the defence ministry.
CBI teams conducted raids at 7 places in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kodagu, including the residence of Lt Col M G Thimmaya.
The agency booked Lt Col Thimmaya, who was estate manager in estate management unit at DRDO township in Bengaluru, and city resident N H Rustumji besides some unknown officials for cheating, criminal conspiracy and under the Prevention of Corruption Act after a complaint from the defence ministry.
The complaint says the Karnataka government had in a notification in 1987 proposed to acquire 114 acres and 16.5 guntas of land (40 guntas= 1 acre), situated at Benniganahalli village in K R Puram, Hobli of Bangalore, for the use of DRDO.
In 1989, the state government issued final notification saying only 97 of the 114 acres will go to DRDO.
However, between 1994-1996, the state denotified about 44 acres of land out of 97 acres without informing DRDO. The denotification was challenged by the Centre in the Karnataka HC, which ruled in favour of DRDO. The case was contested in the SC by private landowners.
As per the SC order, 2 acres and 1 ¼ guntas was to be transferred by DRDO to five persons. Subsequently, 9 acres and 39 ¾ guntas was transferred to N H Rustumji on the basis of power of attorney executed by landowners in his favour. In this deed, Rustumji was represented by Lt Col Thimmaya on behalf of DRDO.
CBI says Thimmaya and Rustumji cheated DRDO/ministry of defence through transfer of total 12 acres 1 gunta of land, says CBI.