2 weeks Ago
Union minister HD Kumaraswamy (left); M Chandrashekhar, ADGP of the SIT of Lokayukta (right) BENGALURU: Union minister for steel and heavy industries HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday accused Congress govt of using tainted police officers to dig up old cases against political opponents in exchange for promotions and high-profile postings. Kumaraswamy, who is facing a Lokayukta inquiry over a denotification case, criticised the govt's actions, calling them a deliberate misuse of power aimed at targeting him and other political rivals. Kumaraswamy singled out M Chandrashekhar , ADGP of the special investigation team ( SIT ) of Lokayukta, accusing him of targeting opposition leaders to please political bosses.
"He has been promised the position of Bengaluru police commissioner," Kumaraswamy alleged and claimed that Chandrashekhar had sought permission from Lokayukta ADGP Manish Karbekar to investigate staff of the governor's secretariat over the leak of communication between Raj Bhavan and the state govt. Claims false: SIT head Chandrasekhar said the allegations are false and are made to deter him from discharging his duties. In a letter to the staff of SIT, he said the objective of Kumaraswamy's allegations seems to create fear among the staff.
"Sometimes the accused and criminals whom we confront throw dirt at us. This must not discourage us from discharging our duties," he stated, quoting playwright George Bernard Shaw: "Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.
" ‘I questioned Lokayukta officials’ Union minister HD Kumaraswamy, who appeared before Lokayukta police on Saturday in connection with a denotification case, claimed that he was not interrogated by the Lokayukta police, but instead, he questioned them for reviving an old case. Referring to media reports that suggested he had been grilled for over two hours regarding the Gangenahalli denotification case, Kumaraswamy denied the claims. “Nobody grilled me.
My inquiry lasted just 10 minutes. In fact, it was me who asked several questions to the Lokayukta police,” he said. The minister claimed that he was not compelled to appear before the Lokayukta and had not been served a formal notice.
“Since I have done nothing wrong, I appeared without hesitation,” he added..
