No plans to shift Jakkur Flying Training School: Shivakumar tells K'taka assembly
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday clarified that the state government has no plans to relocate the Jakkur Flying Training School, a heritage aviation institution, out of Bengaluru.
Shivakumar, who is also the Minister in-charge of Bengaluru development, was responding to the allegations of Leader of Opposition in the assembly, R Ashoka, that the government is attempting to shift the school to favour real estate interests, and the officials have held meetings to facilitate this.
Ashoka sought to know from the Deputy CM what the government intends to do with the Jakkur Flying Training School and 217 acres of prime land associated with it.
"There is no such proposal regarding Jakkur, there is nothing. Yes, the subject had come, when it came for discussion, our Krishna Byre Gowda (Revenue Minister) took a strong stand against it, the government and the Chief Minister have agreed to that stand. There is no such discussion as of now," Shivakumar said.
Recalling that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had laid the foundation stone for an aviation training school on a forest land in Jakkur, which was given by the Maharaja of Mysuru in 1940, Ashoka said tall buildings cannot be constructed nearby due to air traffic restrictions, which is why the real estate mafia is interested in shutting the school there.
During the previous Congress regime (2013-18), there was a plan to build an Executive Club for MLAs and officers on the land, which was cancelled during the BJP regime that came to power next, he said.
"Now, the government is attempting to close the school to favour real estate interests. Officials have held meetings to discuss shifting the school," he added.
Citing records, Ashoka said, Principal Secretary (Youth Empowerment & Sports) Naveen Raj Singh had called a meeting regarding shifting of Jakkur training school to Mysuru. "How did the officer convene this meeting without the knowledge of the government?”
Pointing out that Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who is also the local MLA, had admitted that the plan for executive club was a "mistake" during the earlier Congress government’s tenure; and had said that the school should be saved.
Discussions have also taken place in the past to build a sporting complex on the school’s land. Even though there is plenty of land available in other parts of the city, there is a clever move to acquire this particular land.
"If the school is closed, real estate developers will build tall buildings and make huge profits. The school land should not be handed over to real estate," he demanded.
Intervening, Energy Minister KJ George said he had suggested in the past that the school be shifted out to make way for a “big sports complex”.
With Ashoka pointing to Shivakumar’s recent meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on increasing building height limits around airports, including Jakkur, the latter said he only sought uniformity as the limits are different in Karnataka.
"We have introduced a premium floor area ratio (FAR), this can bring money to Bengaluru. We have asked for some relaxation so that people can use the premium FAR,” he said.
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Aditya Birla Group-led consortium acquires RCB for USD 1.78 billion
Bengaluru (PTI): A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) on Tuesday acquired 100 percent equity stake in IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a whopping USD 1.78 billion (approximately Rs 16,706 crore) from its current owner the United Spirits Limited.
Other parties involved in the group are -- Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE, a firm of which Viral Patel is the CEO, Bolt Ventures, owned by American investor David Blitzer, and media conglomerate Times of India.
“United Spirits Limited, pursuant to the meeting of its Board of Directors, today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for the sale of the 100 percent equity stake held in its wholly owned subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL) to a consortium,” the USL said in a statement.
“The consortium comprises Aditya Birla Group (ABG), The Times of India Group (Times), Bolt Ventures (Bolt), and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE (Blackstone) for a total consideration of INR 166.6 bn in an all cash transaction,” the statement added.
The transaction includes RCB's men’s and women’s (WPL) teams.
“RCSPL owns and operates Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchises that participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL).
“Upon completion of this transaction, the consortium will, through its ownership of RCSPL, acquire the rights to own and operate the IPL and WPL franchise,” said the USL.
The announcement also concluded the strategic review of RCSPL that was initiated by USL on November 5, 2025.
The United Spirits Limited is a subsidiary of UK-Diageo, and they were keen to move away from RCB as the team was not central to their business plans.
Commenting on the transaction, Praveen Someshwar, MD & CEO, USL, said: “This transaction marks an important milestone for USL as we sharpen focus on our core beverage alcohol business to unlock its true potential. RCB has grown into the most prominent and commercially successful franchise in the IPL and WPL.
“We are excited for the future of RCB under the stewardship of the new owner. As Sports enters a new phase of growth in India & globally, we believe this is in the best interest of the franchise and our stakeholders.”
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, said, “Over the past 2 decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket creating enormous value for India.
“RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers the Aditya Birla Group a distinctive platform to extend its legacy of institution-building into the arena of global sport.”
As per the sale agreement, Aryaman Vikram Birla, ABG’s director, will be the chairman of RCB while Satyan Gajwani of Times of India will be his deputy.
Aryaman Birla, said: “It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB. This partnership brings together a deep understanding of sports, media and consumer businesses.
“Together, we will continue to Play Bold -- on the pitch, in the community, and for the fans who make RCB what it is.”
Gajwani, Chairman, Times Internet Limited, said: “RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. We will build RCB into a global sporting institution, while remaining rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka and its incredible fanbase.”
Blitzer hoped to build on RCB’s recent success.
“RCB has a world-class fanbase, and the IPL is one of the great growth stories in global sport. Having invested in clubs and leagues around the world, I believe the opportunity at RCB stands out.
We look forward to working alongside our partners and the BCCI to build on the franchise’s championship success,” he said.
Patel praised the RCB as one of the strongest sporting brands in the world.
“We are excited to invest in RCB, building on Blackstone’s long-standing commitment to India. RCB stands out as one of the most popular sports franchises in the world with a powerful brand, a loyal fan base, and multiple avenues for growth,” he added.
However, formalities such as ratification from the BCCI, IPL Governing Council, its WPL counterpart and the Competition Commission of India are still pending.
Earlier, IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals was acquired by US-based Kal Somani-led consortium for USD 1.63 billion (approx Rs 15,290 crore),
The Somani-led consortium includes Rob Walton from the Walmart family and Hamp family (Ford motor company).
Somani is an Arizona-based tech entrepreneur who has founded IntraEdge (technology services and solutions), Truyo.Ai (data privacy rights and AI governance) and Academian (edtech services).
The other contenders to buy the team, which won the inaugural trophy in 2008, were the Times Internet-led consortium, the Aditya Birla Group and the Mittal family led by ArcelorMittal CEO Aditya Mittal.
