Official sources said four persons in their complaint had alleged that Somalingappa used his position as ruling party MLA and allegedly encroached upon 60 acres belonging to two families in Siriguppa Halekote near Bellary.
Pawar has assured the complainants that action would be initiated if Somalinagappa was found guilty of encroachment, sources said. Reacting to the allegations, Somalingappa told reporters that the allegations were `motivated`. "In fact, I had bought over the land in 2002 and have relevant documents to prove land purchasing deal," he said.
Former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurpapa, Home Minister R Ashoka, Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani, former ministers S N Krishnaiah Setty and Katta Subramanya Naidu are already facing court cases in connection with irregularities in land allotment.