BSY terms Cong's revelation on his 'diary' as atrocious, threatens to file defamation suit

Agencies

March 22, 2019

Bengaluru, Mar 22: After the Congress levelled corruption allegations against former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, the leader on Friday came down heavily on the party terming the accusations as "atrocious" and "malicious" and threatened to file a defamation case.

"The Congress party and its leaders are bankrupt of issues and ideas. They do not have any development issues to discuss in public. They are frustrated with the growing popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP," Yeddyurappa told reporters here.

"Congress leaders have realised that defeat in 2019 polls is imminent. They lost the battle before it began," he added.

Citing a news magazine report, the Congress alleged that some top leaders of the BJP, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had received Rs 1,800 crore from Yeddyurappa.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala claimed that there was a diary which had mentioned about payments allegedly made to the BJP's Central Committee which includes Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, besides the Prime Minister.

The diary also purportedly contains Yeddyurappa's handwriting and signatures, Surjewala alleged.

In response, Yeddyurappa said that an inquiry had found the documents, as cited by Surjewala, "fake".

"I.T. (Income Tax) department officials have already probed the issue and found that the documents and signature and handwritten notes are forged," the former Karnataka Chief Minister said.

"The Congress leaders are apt in carrying out all these atrocious and malicious campaigns. They planted the story in the media to gain political mileage in the coming elections, I am discussing with my senior advocates to file a defamation case against the concerned persons," the BJP leader said.

Surjewala, basing his allegations and contentions on the media report, claimed that the diary is reportedly with the Income Tax department since August 2017 but no probe had been conducted so far.

"The diary is with the Income Tax department since August 2017. The officials of the department have even approached the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with it, seeking an inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and for the forensic examination but nothing happened," said Surjewala.

"If it is true, then why Prime Minister Modi and all top leaders of BJP have not ordered an inquiry and get it investigated," he said.

He added that since the Lokpal was now in place, it can be the first test case of the anti-corruption ombudsman.

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Lokayukta team arrives at disputed plot; CM likely to get ED summons

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru, Oct 1: The Karnataka Lokayukta team on Tuesday arrived at the disputed plot in Mysuru and began investigation into the MUDA case against CM Siddaramaiah and his wife, news agency ANI reported. Snehamayi Krishna, the complainant in the case was also present with the team.

Sources stated that ED sleuths might issue a notice to CM Siddaramaiah at any time and issue summons to him for questioning. The sleuths are also keenly watching the movements of CM Siddaramaiah’s close associates and relatives, including a cabinet minister in connection with the MUDA scam.

Sources further said that there is a possibility of the ED conducting raids across the state on offices and residences of close associates of CM Siddaramaiah. The ED has also gathered information on bank accounts and financial transactions of CM Siddaramaiah and his associates.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by the police, against CM Siddaramaiah over the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife Parvathi B.M. by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. The ED registered the case taking cognisance of the FIR registered against the Chief Minister by the Lokayukta police on September 27.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Lokayukta probing the MUDA case has also expedited the probe. The sleuths led by Mysuru Lokayukta SP T.J. Udesh have visited the controversial land on the outskirts of Mysuru city. The petitioner, Snehamayi Krishna, also accompanied the team.

The move of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife to return 14 sites allotted by the MUDA to her has triggered a debate. BJP MLA from Mysuru T.S. Srivatsa stated on Tuesday that the move of CM’s wife is not acceptable. "The two commissioners who colluded in the MUDA scam are roaming freely even today," he said.

"CM Siddaramaiah first claimed that there was no scam at all. Later, he formed a commission and now there is an FIR against him. After committing the mistake, you offer to return the sale deed. The time is up. He will have to tender his resignation and I am sure he won’t be in the position until Dasara festivities," MLA T.S. Srivatsa stated.

T.J. Abraham, one of the petitioners in the MUDA case said, “I had demanded the MUDA commissioner to take back the allotted sites. He had written back saying the process would be initiated. They were waiting for the investigation report."

"CM Siddaramaiah has not approached the division bench or the Supreme Court to challenge the order against him because there is nothing to be challenged. Returning sites is not a big sacrifice. The Chief Minister has lost it," Abraham stated.

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