The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday morning conducted searches at Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar’s premises in connection with an alleged corruption case.
The agency sent its officials to conduct raids at 14 locations, including Karnataka, Delhi and Mumbai. Apart from Shivakumar, premises of his family members and associates were also searched. “Searches are being conducted today at 14 locations including nine in Karnataka, four in Delhi, one in Mumbai,” a CBI statement said.
The alleged corruption case was registered by the CBI based on Enforcement Directorate’s inputs in a money laundering investigation, reported NDTV. During the money laundering probe, the Enforcement Directorate had forwarded some of their findings to the CBI last year. The ED has accused him of evading tax and being involved in alleged hawala transactions worth crores of rupees.
On September 25, the Karnataka government had given sanction to CBI to investigate Shivakumar under the Prevention of Corruption Act. “CBI has registered a case against then Minister of Karnataka Government and others on the allegations of acquisition of Disproportionate Assets,” the agency said in a statement. “Searches are being conducted today at 14 locations including 9 in Karnataka, 4 in Delhi, one in Mumbai. Details will follow.”
The Karnataka Congress called the raids an “attempt to derail our preparation for bye-polls”. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the raids and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of indulging in vindictive politics.
Congress leader P Chidambaram, who himself is also being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate as well as the the CBI, said he expected nothing better from the BS Yediyurappa government.
Party spokesperson RS Surjewala called the “raid raj” a “Machiavellian move”.
However, the BJP claimed that the Congress’ protests were “ridiculous and meaningless”, PTI reported. Karnataka BJP spokesperson Ganesh Karnik said Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department are institutions with functional autonomy.
“They are always on their job,” Karnik said. “The present raid is in continuation of investigations started by ED in 2017. The politically motivated protests by the Congress are ridiculous and meaningfulness.”
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!