Asian properties probe: Sudhir petitions Rebecca Kadaga over plan to take over his property

By Our Reporter

As the probe into the mess in the Departed Asians Properties Custodian Board (DAPCB) continues, Kampala businessman Sudhir Ruparelia has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga questioning why parliament’s oversight committee, Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) included his freehold property on plot 24, Kampala Road among the disputed properties belonging to DAPCB.

Sudhir in his petition presented to Kadaga on Wednesday says he bought the said property in 1995 and thereafter went to court for judicial review under LD CR 16 0f 2012 to challenge the Custodian Board’s claim.

Sudhir who has constructed a state of the art building on the plot states: “We have followed part of the ongoing COSASE inquiry regarding Departed Asians properties Custodian through televised and print media. A property that belongs to Meera Investment Limited has been mentioned as part of the inquiry.” In the letter, Sudhir argues that the inclusion of plot 24 Kampala Road by COSASE is contempt of court since it made a ruling on the same in favour him.

“High Court listened to us and listened to Custodian Board (represented by Attorney General) and made a decision on December 20, 2012 in our favour”

“COSASE is now inquiring into a matter and ownership decided upon by the High Court in 2012.  We are seeking clarification and guidance from you whether parliament can inquire into a matter where a decision of court has been made or where a matter is in court. Then whenever matters in court come to an end, parties can come to parliament for another decision,” Sudhir, who copied the letter to Chief Justice, Bart Katureebe says.

The select sub-committee COSASE is investigating circumstances under which properties that were compensated for by government have been grabbed by some of government officials and others. The Members of Parliament have since asked officials who managed DAPCB to present proof of compensation for each property.