Bengaluru, 29 Sept

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday called ADGP of Lokayukta, M Chandrasekhar, who heads the SIT probing the 2007 mining lease case, as a “blackmailer” and “criminal”.

"He (Sekhar) has addressed a letter to his colleagues. I know who prepared that letter and where. I will reveal it in due course of time," Kumaraswamy said here. In the letter, referred to by Kumaraswamy, Sekhar wrote, “Today an accused in Crime No. 16/14 of SIT, HD Kumaraswamy, in a press conference made false and malicious allegations and threats.” “As you know the SIT had sought the prosecution sanction of the accused from the competent authority. This accused, who is on bail, HD Kumaraswamy, has done this to deter us from discharging our duties. It appears that his objective is to create fear in the minds of officers of SIT by attacking me.”

“But an ACCUSED, however high and mighty he may be, is an ACCUSED. Let us not get demotivated by such allegations and threats. I as the head of SIT promise you that I will work without fear or favour and bring to justice all criminals and accused in our cases.”

The illegal mining case pertains to allegations that Kumaraswamy, during his tenure as CM from 2006 to 2008, illegally approved a 550-acre mining lease to Sri Sai Venkateswara Minerals (SSVM) in Ballari district in violation of law.

Addressing a press conference at JD(S) State office here, Kumaraswamy presented documents supporting his allegations, stating that Chandrashekhar had leaked a confidential letter written by Governor to Lokayukta to a private news channel. Kumaraswamy cited several complaints and charges against the officer, including his links with Vijay Tata. Chandrashekhar and Tata, who ran a media organisation, extorted individuals. Kumaraswamy accused the officer of constructing a 38-floor commercial building under his wife's name on encroached land and of illegally occupying a nearby lake.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah preferred not to comment on the tussle between Kumaraswamy and the IPS officer.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar criticized Kumaraswamy for his comments on Lokayukta SIT ADGP Chandrashekar. “Kumaraswamy doesn’t know what he is saying. What is the connection between KPCC office and Lokayukta ADGP Chandrashekar and the allegations made by Kumarswamy are baseless.” –Salar News with Agencies