BENGALURU: Senior IPS officer M Chandrasekhar, who is heading the Lokayukta Special Investigation Team’s probe into the alleged 2007 mining scam in the state, has lodged a formal complaint with Bengaluru police, accusing Union minister HD Kumaraswamy and his son Nikhil of trying to intimidate him and obstruct the ongoing investigation.
Reacting to Chandrasekhar’s complaint, Kumaraswamy said Saturday: “When did I threaten him? I only spoke in front of the media and raised concerns over a few issues.He has filed a complaint; we will face it in court.”
Chandrasekhar filed a complaint at the Sanjay Na gar station, charging Kumaraswamy with issuing verbal threats against him and his family during two press meets on Sept 28 and 29. He also accused Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil of making false bribery charges against him.
HDK tried to discredit probe, says IPS officer
It was alleged that Kumaraswamy, before stepping down as CM, had granted Sri Sai Venkateshwara Minerals in Sandura a 550-acre mining lease in Ballari despite senior officials in the state commerce and industry department advising him against it. The SIT led by Chandrasekhar submit ted a report to governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot and sought permission to prosecute Kumaraswamy.
In the police complaint, Chandrasekhar said as investigation approached a crucial breakthrough, Kumaraswamy allegedly initiated an aggressive media campaign to discredit the probe. “Kumaraswamy held a press conference on Sept 28 and 29, in which he made false and malicious accusations against me and threatened to get me removed from Karnataka [IPS] cadre.”
Further clarifying his stand, Kumaraswamy said: “They have been investigating the case for the last 12 years. Whenever they summoned me, I have appeared before them. I never said I won’t face the investigation.”
