The CBI began raids this morning in an alleged corruption case against Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar in Karnataka, Mumbai and Delhi. Today’s raids – being carried out at 14 locations – have been called by the Congress as an “attempt to derail our preparation for bypolls” in Karnataka.
The alleged corruption case was registered by the CBI based on the inputs shared by the Enforcement Directorate over a money laundering probe. “CBI has registered a case against then Minister of Karnataka Government and others on the allegations of acquisition of disproportionate assets. Searches are being conducted today at 14 locations including nine in Karnataka, four in Delhi, and one in Mumbai,” the probe agency said this morning in a statement.
Last year, the 58-year-old Karnataka Congress chief was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate after four days of questioning over money-laundering allegations.
The September 2019 arrest involved tax raids on Mr Shivakumar in 2017, when ₹ 8.6 crore in “undisclosed income” was allegedly found. The figure was revised to ₹ 11 crore later. The Enforcement Directorate had filed a money laundering case against Mr Shivakumar in 2018, based on a chargesheet filed by the Income Tax department.
During the money laundering probe, the Enforcement Directorate had forwarded some of their findings to the CBI last year. This is the first CBI case against the 58-year-old Congress leader.
Several teams from Delhi, Maharashtra began the searches at around 6:30 am, according to the sources. Apart from DK Shivakumar, premises of his family members and his associates are also being searched. About ₹ 50 lakh have been seized so far from the 14 locations.
“I am not aware of the FIR. We are seeking basic information – what’s the case against, why is he being raided? What is so secretive. Can’t they share the details of the FIR. For the CBI to enter a state. In this case the permission was given, which was challenged in the High Court by DK Shivkumar. The court had adjourned the matter on September 30. Yet the CBI has been allowed to raid houses,” DK Shivakumar’s lawyer told the reporters today.
Responding to the searches, ex-Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah tweeted: “@BJP4India has always tried to indulge in vindictive politics & mislead public attention. The latest CBI raid on @KPCCPresident @DKShivakuma ‘s house is another attempt to derail our preparation for bypolls. I strongly condemn this.”
.@BJP4India is against social justice and inturn reservation. They are betraying people by disregarding the report submitted by the BC commission.@BSYBJP should immediately accept the report & implement it.
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— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) October 3, 2020
Bypolls will be held in Karnataka on November 3. The Congress has often alleged the CBI is being used by the ruling BJP to target the rivals.
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala attacked the BJP on Twitter. “The insidious game of intimidation & machinations of Modi-Yeddyurappa duo being executed by a puppet CBI by raiding @DKShivakumar won’t deter us. CBI should be unearthing the layers of corruption in Yeddyurappa Govt.
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Let Modi & Yeddyurappa Govts & BJP’s frontal organizations i.e CBI-ED-Income Tax know that Congress workers & leaders will not be cowed down nor bow down before such devious attempts.Our resolve to fight for people & expose BJP’s maladministration only becomes stronger. https://t.co/AfoJgxOsGl
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) October 5, 2020
“What else can we expect after the expose on @bsybjp by @INCKarnataka,” Karti Chidambaram wrote on Twitter, hitting out at Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.
