The case against Kannada actor Upendra has been recently dismissed by the Karnataka High Court. Speaking to Silverscreen, Upendra said he was “delighted” with the conclusion of what he described as a “non-stop legal battle” with the State Government.
The actor was had allegedly bought agricultural land in Hubbili district by showing income of less than Rs. 2,00,000. In 2005 (the year when the actor purchased the land), the Karnataka Land Reforms Act allowed a person to buy agricultural land only if they had income amounting to less than Rs. 2,00,000.
Upendra had approached the court and said that the land had been purchased for him by his “joint family”. He had also said that his family did not have income of more than Rs 2 lakhs.
An amendment to the Act in 2015 allowed persons with an annual income of Rs. 25,00,000 to purchase agricultural lands, thus providing some relief to the actor.
Following this amendment, the High Court ruled in favour of Upendra.
However, on March 5, 2016, this order was withdrawn. The new order also ruled in favour of the actor, while attributing the cause to the delay on the State Government’s part in initiating action against Upendra. The State Government challenged this order as well, following which the Karnataka High Court once again ruled in favour of Upendra.
Speaking to Silverscreen, Upendra said: “I am delighted that the case has been brought to an end. I bought the land over ten years ago. I secured a loan from a nationalised bank in order to develop the property. But, I have not been able to do so wholeheartedly because of this case.”
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Further, he said, “I had notified the State Government about the sale of the land in 2006. They had given approval for that then and even said that I had not violated any laws. But just months later, I received a notice from the Government, asking me to cease all work on the property.
“Since then it has been a non-stop legal battle. Every time I win, they take out another appeal against me. At least with this latest order, I hope the State Government realises that I am on the right legal path, and not being dishonest.”
Feature Image Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle