CBI to probe corruption charges against CM

The probe into the Rs 1.5 billion bribery charges against Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and his two cabinet colleagues has taken a new turn with the State Government-appointed U L Bhat Commission of Inquiry deciding the seek the assistance of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in probing the scam.

The CBI probe will however be subject to the direction and control of the U L Bhat Commission, a statement issued by Justice Bhat said.

The Bhat Commission’s unexpected move to rope in the CBI for an investigation into the bribery charges contradicts the firm stance of the H D Kumaraswamy Government against a CBI probe into the matter.

BJP legislator Janardhan Reddy had kicked up a political storm in Karnataka by accusing Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and two of his cabinet colleagues of collecting Rs 1.5 billion as bribe from illegal mine owners of Bellary district on the floor of the Legislature a couple of months ago.

Though the Opposition Congress party had demanded a CBI probe into the matter, the JD (S)-BJP coalition had chosen to reject the demand, suspecting the impartiality of the investigating agency, which came directly under the control of the Congress-led Federal Government. Instead, the State Government had appointed a Commission of Inquiry headed by U L Bhat.

But, the Bhat Commission has been forced to seek the CBI’s assistance in the probe as Reddy and others had failed to appear before the Commission and produce documents and evidence in support of the charges against the Chief Minister.

In its statement, the Commission also said that it is of the opinion that an “investigation by the State police officers against the head of the State Government and his colleagues could lead to embarrassment to all concerned and unlikely to create confidence in the public inspite of the high level of integrity of the State police officers”.

Reacting to the Commission’s decision to seek CBI probe into the mining scam, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said he will not restrain the Commission from going ahead with its decision. “I will direct the Chief Secretary to provide all facilities as requested by the Commission”, he said.

BJP MLC Janardharn Reddy described the Commission’s decision as a “victory” for his efforts. Claiming that he had been seeking a CBI probe into the scam from day one, Reddy said he was glad that the U L Bhat Commission itself has sought for a CBI probe.

“I will decide on furnishing documents and evidence related to the scam after the CBI takes over the investigations”, he said.