Minister Shobha in a dubious land deal in Kodagu
It is a well know fact that politicians have been parking their ill-gotten wealth in Kodagu by purchasing lands.
Perhaps for the first time, the name of a politician has come in the open for entering into a dubious land deal.
Karnataka energy minister Shobha Karandlaje has come under scanner for purchasing 166 acres in Kodagu for Rs 5.10 crore. The land is located at Tannimani near Bhagamandala.
In a dubious land deal, Shobha floated a company Manjushree Apparels Ltd in 2007 with a fictitious address. This came to light during a Lokayukta investigation. She was the managing director of the company and her brother Lokesh was a director. Shobha is single. Shobha who is close to chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, won the Assembly election from Yesthwanthpur constituency in Bangalore. She claims that she borrowed Rs 3.5 crore from Adarsh Developers to purchase the land in the name of her apparel company.
Shobha who originally hails from Puttur and studied MSW, purchased the land from one B. Abdul Rahaman who bought the land from Mohammed Kunhi. The land originally belonged to Venkataramana Bhat.
It is apparent that Shobha has undervalued her property to evade stamp duty. The cost of the land is easily above Rs 25 crore, whereas the stamp duty was paid for a much lesser value.
