Karnataka mining scam: suspended legislator backs CBI probe
Nov 23, 2006 - 12:51:25 AM
, Reviewed by: Priya Saxena
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'A CBI probe under the commission's direction will not lead to justice, as its findings will not be legally binding on the state government, headed by the accused (Kumaraswamy). For the same reason, I did not respond to the commission's notice to depose or submit evidence to prove the charges,' Reddy asserted.
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By Indo Asian News Service,
[RxPG] Bangalore, Nov 22 (IANS) Suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator B. Janardhan Reddy, who has levelled bribery charges against Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy related to irregularities in the mining sector, Wednesday said he was ready to assist a federal investigation into his allegations.
'My insistence on a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into the Rs.1.5-billion bribery charges against the chief minister has been vindicated by the (U.L Bhat) probe panel, set up by the state government, favouring an inquiry by the central investigation agency,' Reddy told reporters here.
'I hope the state government will accept the commission's recommendation and allow the central government to order a CBI probe into the graft charges. Till the CBI inquiry is completed, Kumarasway should resign and not hold any office on moral grounds,' he said.
The state government had in July ordered a judicial inquiry into all mining activities, including illegal mining being carried out in the state since January 2000, after Reddy alleged in the state legislative council that Kumaraswamy and his two ministerial colleagues - Home Minister M.P. Prakash and Forest Minister C. Chennigappa had received Rs.1.5 billion as bribes from the mining lobby operating in Bellary district in north Karnataka.
The government had also directed the commission to include the bribery charges in the scope of inquiry. Bhat, who retired from the Madhya Pradesh High Court recently, late Tuesday favoured a CBI investigation into the mining scam under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (section 25), 1946.
'The commission is of the opinion that investigation by state police officers into the allegations made against the head of the state government and his colleagues could lead to embarrassment to all concerned and unlikely to create confidence in the public, despite their integrity,' Bhat said in a note issued by the commission's secretary.
The commission, however, said the CBI probe would be subject to its direction and control. It also insisted the CBI should submit the report to it (commission) under 5A (4) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.
Although endorsing the commission's move, Reddy said he would prefer an independent inquiry by the CBI, ordered by either the Centre or the law courts instead of the Bhat commission, in which he had no faith or expectation to get justice.
'A CBI probe under the commission's direction will not lead to justice, as its findings will not be legally binding on the state government, headed by the accused (Kumaraswamy). For the same reason, I did not respond to the commission's notice to depose or submit evidence to prove the charges,' Reddy asserted.
Expressing faith in the CBI, he said he had also filed writ petitions in the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court seeking direction to the state as well as the Centre for ordering a CBI probe into the bribery charges.
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