– This SC case is another instance when Vikram Kirloskar’s name has been dragged in such a controversial matter, after he faced flaks for taking his company Mysore Kirloskar Ltd to drains and leaving all its employees and staff to suffer till date
– The current SC battle follows a case initially filed by one Muniyappa in the Bangalore Metropolitan Court against Vikram and his wife, alleging that they had grabbed a piece of land granted to their family by the government
India’s leading industry body Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) is passing through an embarrassing moment in history. Its recently appointed president Vikram Kirloskar is challenging in the Supreme Court an earlier order by the Karnataka High Court to sustain the Bangalore Metropolitan court’s decision to initiate criminal proceedings against him in a land grabbing case filed in 2016 as reported in the Economic Times.
The Supreme Court is likely to hear the appeal soon.
The case was initially filed by Muniyappa, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste-Adi Karnataka (Balagai caste). Muniyappa had alleged that Vikram, in his capacity as the Chairman and Managing Director of Kirloskar Systems Ltd, was a co-conspirator in grabbing over 10 acres of land which was given to his great grandfathers by the Government of India as they belonged to this lower caste.
The private complaint filed before the chief metropolitan magistrate, Bangalore, stated that the great grandfathers of Muniyappa did not encumber the said property during their lifetime. Later, Muniyappa found that the revenue records of these properties were mutated in the name of the Directors of Kirloskar Systems Limited. Muniyappa had named Kirloskar Systems Limited, Vikram and his wife Geetanjali as co-conspirators. Muniyappa had also alleged that Vikram had also attempted to murder him.
Following direction of the magistrate, the police investigated the matter and submitted a “B” Summary report – which means that a false case has been lodged. Muniyappa then filed a protest Memo against the police investigation report, in which he filed 13 documents as evidence to prove his charges of trespassing and illegal possession of land by Vikram.
On November 19, 2016, after going through the detailed report, the magistrate noted that there was prima facie material against Vikram to proceed against him and his wife for offences punishable under at least 7 sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Therefore, the court issued process against Vikram, his wife and other respondents.
However, the magistrate concluded that there was no case made out against Vikram for cheating, forgery, using forged documents, conspiracy or criminal intimidation.
Vikram went on to challenge the order before the Karnataka High Court contending that since the magistrate concluded that there was no material to substantiate allegations against them, the magistrate ought to have rejected the entire complaint. The HC, on July 3, 2019, dismissed the petition observing that the Magistrate has assigned proper reasons to take cognizance of the offence against Vikram.
Vikram then approached the Supreme Court challenging the Karnataka HC’s order. The SC, while issuing notice to Muniyappa, has stayed the proceedings against Vikram.
Other allegations against Vikram Kirloskar
This is not for the first time that Vikram has found himself in legal tangle involving land dispute. Earlier, there was another case related to Mysore Kirloskar Ltd, a Harihar-based company in which he became the MD in 1983. The company manufactured lathe machines started in 1941 and had a glorious past. However, it went down under Vikram’s leadership and is now under liquidation. (Read more about Thousands of workers suffering due to Vikram Kirloskar)
The workers of the factory have sued the company to recover their dues.
Will CII take action?
As the current president of CII, which is India’s oldest industry organisation, Vikram is now the face of corporate India. All the past presidents of CII have been leading and illustrious names from the industry and played prominent roles in policy advocacy and hobnobbing with policymakers and the government for shaping India’s policy and regulatory framework.
Hence, any blemish on any of its top board members will also mar CII’s impressive track record and reputation, especially if Vikram is indicted in any of the cases.
Also read:
SC likely to hear soon appeal challenging proceedings against CII President Vikram Kirloskar – The Economic Times
