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Clueless: B M Mallikarjuna Swamy SP, BDA |
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Fraudster? P N Murthy personal secretary to SP, BDA |
Constables and head constables, deputed from the police department, have struck gold in the BDA Special Task Force.
"Their salaries are small, but they are worth crores," said an officer in the BDA, confirming the general suspicion that the probe is in the wrong hands.
He said policemen with salaries of less than Rs 10,000 sometimes came to work in Skodas and Ford Icons.
Rich constable
Head constable Siddaraju, who works in the BDA's vigilance department, is among those who will be called upon to dig up information in the alternative sites scandal case.
He has managed to remain in the BDA for more than 18 years. Although transferred to the mother department thrice, he has quickly returned.
He owns a high end BDA site in J P Nagar, while his wife Sukendramma owns another site in OMBR Layout. She got the allotment by claiming that her family income is less than Rs 11,000 a year.
Shockingly, the BDA has allotted her 3EM 245 (20 X 30 feet) after accepting her contention that she is a labourer earning Rs 9,000 annually.
"The site can be cancelled, and it could also cost Siddaraju his job," said a BDA official. "He can be prosecuted under criminal law."
Siddaraju's mother-in-law Ratnamma owns another site meant for the poor in J P Nagar (No 430, 4th Phase).
When MiD DAY asked Siddaraju about it, he said, "It is everybody's right to own sites. Nobody can question me as long as I am upright in discharging my duties as a policeman."
Interestingly, he was awarded the chief minister's medal in 2003.
Tainted secretary
Another official privy to crucial investigative information is under a cloud.
P N Murthy, personal secretary to the superintendent of police, has a forgery case pending against him. Yet he has managed to get his suspension revoked.
"I don't know about these things as I have come here only recently," said B M Mallikarjuna Swamy, the superintendent of police who will probe into the BDA scandal. "But I will take action if any irregularities come to my notice." He said the alternative sites investigation would be conducted by senior officials and not by tainted staff.
Quick report
Meanwhile, BDA commissioner Siddiah said, "Corruption is deep in the BDA, and I am trying hard to clean it up. If anybody comes to me with details of fraud, I will take action."
He said the the alternative sites investigation would be completed in 45 days although the deadline was three months.
"I have constituted a committee comprising the SP, an estate officer, and three deputy secretaries, and asked them to submit a report by September 20," he told MiD DAY.
He said he had already cancelled 11 alternative sites allotted fraudulently.
Con method
Persons with an annual income of less than Rs 11,000 are regarded as belonging to the economically weaker sections (EWS).
They are eligible to apply for small BDA sites (20 X 30 feet) under a special quota.
An applicant pays Rs 3,000 as initial deposit, and Rs 40,000 once the site is allotted.
The STF staff approach allottees on the pretext of verifying their income, and tell them they are not eligible since their income exceeds the ceiling.
STF staff then persuade the allottees to give away their sites.
They buy each site for Rs 40,000 while its real worth is at least Rs 6 lakh.
"Some constables own up to five sites," said a source in the BDA.
