Karnataka BJP demands CM Siddaramaiah's resignation over claims he tried to 'fix' Opposition leaders

BJP leaders protested at Mysore Bank Circle against alleged interference of the government in the Anti- Corruption Bureau.

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Siddaramaiah said that his government does not interfere in the working of the ACB.
Siddaramaiah said that his government does not interfere in the working of the ACB.

In Short

  • KAS officer says ACB tried to pressurize him to testify against Yeddyurappa.
  • The KAS officer has been identified as H Basavarajendra.
  • Siddaramaiah says his government does not interfere in working of ACB.

On Saturday evening, a startling revelation was made by a KAS officer wherein he stated that the Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB) officers had tried to pressurize him to falsify statements against the then Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yeddyurappa (BSY) in a de-notification case.

The KAS officer identified as H Basavarajendra, Deputy Secretary in the Mines, Investigation Cell and Sugar department has alleged that he was threatened by two DySP rank officers in the ACB to testify against BSY or be made an accused. Since he refused to do so, he was made accused No. 2 in the case.

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CM Siddaramaiah when questioned on these allegations being made against the ACB and his government said that his government does not interfere in the working of the ACB.

BJP LEADERS PROTEST

Today the BJP led by its senior leaders protested at Mysore Bank Circle against the alleged interference of the government in the ACB.

They have now demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations made by the KAS officer in his letter submitted to the governor of the state.

Shobha Karandlaje, MP tells India Today that the Siddaramaiah government has been misusing the ACB ever since its inception and are using it to fix cases against opposition leaders. On the complaint letter by the KAS officer, she says, 'The whole bureaucracy system is being misused by Siddaramaiah and Kempaiah.'

Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka added that the KAS officer's complaint only proved that the cases filed against BSY are nothing but political vendetta. All the leaders who gathered at the protest have now demanded the resignation of CM Siddaramaiah.

ACB CLARIFICATION ON ALLEGATIONS MADE BY KAS OFFICER

Soon after the allegations were made by KAS officer H Basavarajendra against ACB officials, a press note was released by the ACB.

MN Reddi, DGP, ACB in the press note stated, "The letter has been released by a key accused who had issued illegal endorsements of 'Denotification', while working in BDA. He was called for enquiry by the ACB officers on the 10th of August. He appeared before the IO. In case of 164 CrPc, the magistrate asks the accused repeatedly whether the statement he wishes to make is voluntary or not. Therefore allegation of 'forcing an accused to give a voluntary statement before a magistrate', is a contradiction in terms."

The press note further added, "And even if he was feeling threatened then why he did not approach the higher rank officers to lodge a complaint? He has issued this letter after a gap of 9 days, that too after receiving a police notice as an accused, along with the other accused. It's a feeble attempt to build false defence."

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But the DGP, ACB has also stated that if the KAS officer has any grievances, it will certainly be looked into.

Also Read:

Karnataka Administrative Officer accuses ACB officers of forcing him to give false statements against BS Yeddyurappa

Denotification case: BS Yeddyurappa seeks 10 days to respond to Anti-Corruption Bureau's summons

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