With CID clean chit, George back as Bengaluru development minister

Two months after stepping down as the Bengaluru development and town planning minister following row over DySP M K Ganapathy suicide, K J George on Monday returned to the Cabinet.

Governor Vajubhai Vala administered the oath of office and secrecy to George at Raj Bhavan, during a simple ceremony, which was attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his other cabinet colleagues. He has returned to the portfolio which he had held before resigning from office on July 18.  The allotment of portfolio, notified by Raj Bhavan, was gazetted by the government on the same day.

After being sworn-in, George said he has been exonerated of all charges. “The CID has given me a clean chit, and hence the chief minister has re-inducted me into the Cabinet. He has full faith in me. I am grateful to the party high command for giving me an opportunity to serve again,” he said.

Hundreds of George’s supporters, who had gathered outside Raj Bhavan, erupted in joy after their leader was sworn-in. Two months ago, George resigned after a local court in Madikeri ordered the Karnataka police to file an FIR against him in connection with DySP M K Ganapathy suicide. The CID, which probed the matter, has given him a clean chit.