A Special Anti-Land Grabbing Court in Karnataka has registered a case against Congress Overseas Chief Sam Pitroda, also known as Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda, and several others over alleged illegal occupation of government land in Bengaluru.
Allegations Of Unauthorized Land Use
The case names Darshan Shankar, founder of the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), along with four senior Karnataka Forest Department officials, for allegedly occupying 12.35 acres of reserved forest land in Jarakabande Kaval, near Yelahanka.
Originally, FRLHT was granted a five-year lease for the land in 1996 by the Karnataka State Forest Department. This lease was renewed in 2001 for another 10 years, but expired in 2011. Despite the expiration, the organization is accused of continuing to occupy the land illegally for over 14 years.
Reports suggest that the land is worth over ₹150 crore, with a market value exceeding ₹300 crore. Additionally, FRLHT allegedly generated ₹5-6 crore annually by selling rare herbal plants grown on the property.
Complaint & Legal Action
A formal complaint regarding the issue was filed with the Lokayukta and the Enforcement Directorate on February 24, 2025. Following a review of the complaint and supporting evidence, a criminal case was filed on March 11, 2025, in the Special Court for the Prevention of Land Grabbing in Karnataka against Pitroda, Shankar, and four Karnataka Forest Department officials.
Sam Pitroda Rejects Allegations
Dismissing the accusations, Sam Pitroda took to social media to clarify his position. He stated that he has never owned land, property, or stocks in India and has never received a salary while serving in the Indian government.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pitroda said, “Statement for the Record. In light of recent reports in the Indian media, both on television and in print, I wish to categorically state the following: I do not own any land, home, or stocks in India.
Additionally, during my tenure working with the Government of India—whether with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the mid-1980s or with Dr. Manmohan Singh from 2004 to 2014—I have never taken/received any salary.”
He also asserted that in his 83 years, he has never paid or accepted a bribe in India or any other country.
As legal proceedings move forward, further investigations will determine the validity of the charges against the accused.
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