Karnataka - Bangalore   

Hearing on Reddy's plea for CBI probe adjourned

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday adjourned a petition by suspended Bharatiya Janata Party MLC from Bellary C. Janardhan Reddy seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry against Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Home Minister M.P. Prakash and Minister for Forests Chennigappa and their relatives for offences punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

On August 23, Mr. Reddy filed the petition naming several members of the family of the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda as recipients of illegal gratification.

He said though some women members in Mr. Deve Gowda's family did not work, they had money credited in their names in several banks. He said the women members of at least three public servants lent their name for the acquisition of assets. Mr. Reddy had named some business establishments such as Amogh, Kunal Enterprises, Kasturi Medias and BSK Trading, which he claimed belonged to some family members of Mr. Deve Gowda. Mr. Reddy said after he came to know of these facts, he called for a press conference and disclosed them. He had sought for a CBI investigation. Though the Chief Minister had initially pretended to order a CBI inquiry, he had later ordered an inquiry under the Commission of Enquiries Act, without making any reference to the charges levelled by him.

He told the court that the charges levelled by him need a thorough investigation and this could not be done by the State police as it is an instrument of the State Government. He sought a direction from the High Court to refer the matter to the CBI for further investigation. Besides, an agency that is not under State control could conduct a fair investigation.

Justice H.G. Ramesh, before whom the matter came up, adjourned further hearing to September 13.

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