Congress leader and KDP member of Hassan Zilla Panchayat G. Devaraje Gowda, here on Friday, came down on Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture A. Manju, who is also in-charge of Hassan, accusing him of protecting corrupt officers in the district.
At a press conference in Hassan on Friday, Mr. Gowda said he had submitted a complaint to the police about illegal sand mining and transportation in Sakleshpur sub-division.
Based on his complaint, the police seized 97 trucks and booked cases against 25 people. “I named Sakleshpur sub-division Assistant Commissioner S.S. Madhukeshwar and other officials in my report. However, there has been no action against the officers who carried out the illegal activities,” he said.
Mr. Gowda alleged that the way in which Mr. Manju had been handling the allegations indicated that he was in support of the corrupt officers. “I, and many other Congress workers, had demanded that the party high-command allow Mr. Manju entry into Cabinet. Now, we are regretting our decision. He is not taking party workers or leaders into confidence,” he alleged.
Mr. Gowda added that the Minister’s close associate D.C. Sannaswamy had also been involved in illegal sand extraction and transportation in Sakleshpur. “Sannaswamy is earning lakhs daily illegally. He has the support of the Minister,” Mr. Gowda alleged. Mr. Gowda said he had collected all necessary documents with regard to sand mining and transportation in the district.
CID inquiry demanded
“The matter must be referred to the Criminal Investigation Department for a proper inquiry. If this is not done in three days, I will move the court to file a Public Interest Litigation seeking a probe into illegal activities in the district,” Mr. Gowda added.
