BANGALORE: Karavali Ale Group Chief BV Seetaram has lodged a complaint with
the Lokayukta against Dakshina Kannada District in-charge Minister Krishna Palemar,
accusing him of sand smuggling and illegal stocking of sand.
BV See personally met Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde at the latter’s office in the
capital last week and has lodged a complaint following which the Lokayukta has taken
up investigation into the case.
BV See in his complaint has said that “ Revenue and mine department officials during a
raid on July 16 had found thousands of tonnes of sand stocked at the premises of Vikas
Education Trust at Maryhill of which Palemar is the Chairman.†He also handed over
to the Lokayukta, copies of different newspapers which had published the report. BV
See in his complaint has said that the persons concerned had failed to furnish suitable
records and justification for the stocking of such huge quantity of sand and that it has
been proved at the outset that it was illegally stocked.
“ The officials who raided the place on suspicion of illegal stocking of sand, were
probably unaware that the college was owned by Palemar ; but on getting to know about
it, they have tried to prove that the sand stocked was not illegal, with a hidden intention
of shielding the accused minister. The pressure exerted by the Minister has misled the
investigation and the truth may be at stake and those responsible for illegal stocking of
sand may escape the noose of law,†BV See expressed his apprehensions during his talks
with the Lokayukta.
“ There is shortage of sand in the Dakshina Kannada district that even public many a time
do not get sand that is much necessary for their works. This being the case, Palemar by
stocking sand in such huge quantity has committed an offence. The minister has acted
against public interests by neglecting the High Court ban against sand transportation and
stocking,†BV See explained.
He also drew the attention of the Lokayukta to another aspect when he said “ A few
months ago huge sand stock was traced in a separate raid conducted by the Mangalore
DySP. But once it came to light that even this sand belonged to the minister, the
investigation has gone astray.â€
“ Palemar was the driving force behind the indiscriminate and illegal sand mining in
Dakshina Kannada district ; may be the minister who himself is a builder is in need of
huge quantity of sand ; but Palemar who while assuming charge as minister has taken
oath that he will protect public interests, has staked public interests to promote and
protect his business interests. When the common man has to secure sand at a higher price
with much difficulty, the minister by involving in sand smuggling and stocking has
committed an offence. Immediate and suitable action has to be initiated in this case of
the fence itself grazing the crop,†BV See urged the Lokayukta and clarified that he was
lodging this complaint in public interest. “ The Lokayukta who on this occasion warned
by saying “Officials who try to destroy or manipulate evidences in order to shield
anyone, will have to pay the price for the same,†also assured to order an impartial probe
into the complaint.
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