Priyadarshini Kharge returns plot of land amid controversy

B D Narayankar

Press Trust of India

Bangalore, Oct 25: In light of allegations that Union
Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge's daughter was allotted a
plot of land in violation of bye-laws, she has returned the
site in question to the Karnataka State Judicial Department
Employees House Building Co-operative Society (KSJDEHBCS).
Media reports had said Priyadarshini, Kharge's daughter,
had purchased site number 1,448, measuring 3,280 sq ft on
January 15, 2002 at Rs 1,96,837 at Yelahanka (Allalasandra)
Judicial Layout, allegedly flouting KSJDEHBCS bye-laws.
Priyank Kharge, son of Mallikarjun Kharge, told PTI, "It is
a closed chapter as my sister has returned the site yesterday
which was allotted to her by KSJDEHBCS irrespective of the
matter being legal or illegal".
Media reports had charged Priyadarshini was allotted the
site in violation of a bye-law stating that it was mandatory
for her to be an employee in any organisation for at least
five years and a member of the KSJDEHBCS for a minimum period
of five years in Karnataka.
Refuting the allegation, Priyank Kharge said his sister had
not violated any bye-law as she had been inducted as a member
of the society "a long time back".
"Moreover, a person of any profession of any organisation
working in Karnataka can apply for allotment of sites," he
said, defending the purchase.
Priyadarshini is also alleged to have violated the bye-law
prescribing that the allotment of the site has to be on the
basis of seniority.
"There is no violation in this regard too. She was alloted
the site as per law," Priyank Kharge said.