Union minister HD Kumaraswamy urged former chief minister Siddaramaiah to “stand firm” instead of trying to restrain proceedings
Kumaraswamy also cited a complaint filed on Oct 9 by Bengaluru Nijada Horatagarara Vedike with Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, juvenile justice committee and Karnataka State Legal Services Authority officials. It alleged that a 14-year-old girl, now an adult, was influenced to take part in a sting operation.
Bengaluru: Union minister and JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy Tuesday demanded a CBI probe into alleged sting operations targeting political figures and their families in Karnataka and said he would soon meet Union home minister Amit Shah with a formal complaint. He said an investigation should establish who masterminded the operations, who carried them out and what roles various individuals played. Those found guilty should be penalised, he said. This should also be examined, Kumaraswamy said. Justifying his demand for a CBI probe, Kumaraswamy said the truth should emerge through constitutional and judicial institutions, and everyone should abide by court verdicts. He said his own family had faced similar difficulties but had not sought court protection, adding that even his mother, who had devoted her life to religious observances, was not spared.
“Rajanna had said that a functionary of our party was running a CD factory, but he was subsequently silenced. Meanwhile, Shivakumar took a sarcastic swipe at Kumaraswamy, saying he had “drawn the state’s attention to a good issue”, while dismissing the former CM’s allegation that he was behind a sting operation targeting his cabinet colleagues. Shivakumar said these allegations “would be answered in time” and challenged Kumaraswamy to submit evidence he claimed to possess for investigation.
Then Ramesh Jarkiholi was finished off, followed by KN Rajanna, who belongs to the same community,” he alleged. Now it is Siddaramaiah’s turn.
“Earlier, a sting operation was conducted against a former CM.