Hassan : After Bidadi land row and sting op, Union minister HD Kumaraswamy Sunday alleged large-scale irregularities in the Hassan deputy commissioner’s office in granting permission for stone-quarrying and land-conversion activities in the district.
He further alleged Rs 75 lakh was paid to Hassan district minister KM Shivalingegowda through a KAS officer to prevent the transfer of the deputy commissioner. He released WhatsApp chat records allegedly exchanged between deputy commissioner KS Latha Kumari’s staff and a middleman.
Chief minister DK Shivakumar defended the DC and said JD(S) leaders were making allegations as she did not string along with them. The DC dismissed the allegations as “completely false” and said she would file a complaint with the cyberpolice seeking investigation s into attempts to damage an individual’s reputation through false information. CM Shivakumar said minister Shivalingegowda had expressed his frustration about the allegations and said the DC was impartial in her role. However, I condemn spreading false allegations,” she said. Latha Kumari said a thorough investigation should be conducted and those found guilty must face disciplinary action..
Speaking to reporters after visiting Hasanamba temple here, the minister accused officials in the DC’s office and a middlemen of demanding lakhs of rupees in bribes. The minister alleged bribes were demanded for granting permission to three stone-crushers in the district and land conversion for a residential layout in Sakleshpur. He urged the chief minister to order an investigation into the incident and demanded that the police seize mobile phones of the staff and middleman and conduct a thorough probe. In a Facebook post, the DC claimed she had never indulged in unauthorised activities and would never do so. “If any mistake has been committed by my PA or anyone in his section, then appropriate action will certainly be taken (against them).