Last Updated:
Kumaraswamy claimed that the arrangement resulted in DK Suresh receiving nearly 400 flats, which he said could be worth around Rs 2,000 crore.
Karnataka CM Shivakumar (Left) and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy. File image
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has levelled fresh allegations against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and his family over the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC), popularly known as the NICE Road project.
Kumaraswamy alleged that Shivakumar and his family were among the key beneficiaries of what he described as the alleged NICE Road scam. He also questioned changes made to the project’s original plan, including alterations to its alignment, land allocation and development framework.
Kumaraswamy made the allegations while referring to documents related to the BMIC/NICE project. According to a document cited by the Union minister, 22 acres in Hosakerehalli were allegedly involved in a joint venture between DK Suresh, Shivakumar’s brother and former Lok Sabha MP, and Sobha Developers.
Kumaraswamy claimed the arrangement resulted in Suresh receiving nearly 400 flats, which he estimated could be worth around ₹2,000 crore.
The document cited by Kumaraswamy also mentions DK Shivakumar and alleged benamis, DK Suresh and his family, DK Suresh and alleged benamis, and Ashok Kheny in connection with the alleged benefits.
It further identifies Sunitha Baba Kalyani (SBK) as Ashok Kheny’s sister and alleges that she benefited from 56 acres and seven guntas and more. Ashok Kheny’s staff and alleged benamis are also listed in connection with 6 acres and 22 guntas and more.
Kumaraswamy alleged that DK Shivakumar and his family were the “biggest beneficiaries” of the alleged irregularities.
Questions Over Changes To NICE Road Project
Kumaraswamy also questioned changes made to the original BMIC/NICE project after Shivakumar became chairman of the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Planning Authority (BMICPA) in 2003, when he was serving as Karnataka’s Urban Development Minister.
He alleged that the project’s alignment and Outline Development Plan were subsequently altered, resulting in deviations from the original Cabinet-approved Framework Agreement.
The Union minister highlighted the project’s total area of 20,193 acres and alleged that the land earmarked for the toll road increased from 6,999 acres to 9,468.86 acres.
Kumaraswamy also raised questions over a 2002 tripartite agreement involving NICE, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Karnataka government. He alleged that the agreement introduced provisions allowing the sale or alienation of certain land associated with the project.
According to Kumaraswamy, these changes created opportunities for private financial gains and benefited parties associated with Ashok Kheny.
He questioned who authorised the changes to the original Framework Agreement and why the land allocated for the road project was expanded.
Kumaraswamy’s allegations concern a long-running dispute over the BMIC/NICE project and its land acquisition, agreements and implementation. The claims regarding alleged financial benefits, the value of the flats and the role of individual persons are allegations made by Kumaraswamy and require verification from the relevant documents and authorities.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy alleged that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and his family were major beneficiaries of the Bengaluru-Mysuru Infrastructure Corridor project, describing it as a scam involving irregular land allocations and alignment alterations.
Ask News18September 29, 2026, 19:22 IST
Read More
