Is HD Kumaraswamy backing tainted police inspector to question integrity of ADGP Chandrashekhar?
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has leveled serious allegations against Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M Chandrashekar, branding him a “blackmailer” involved in a shadowy Rs 20 crore deal. The allegations have sent shockwaves through political and law enforcement circles, as Chandrashekar is currently leading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the controversial Sandur mining case, in which Kumaraswamy is one of the accused.
The mining case, tied to Sri Sai Venkateshwara Minerals of Sandur, has been a point of contention for several years, but it has resurfaced with fresh urgency after it was revealed that the SIT sought permission from the Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to prosecute Kumaraswamy. In what appears to be a direct response, the minister publicly accused Chandrashekar of unethical practices, claiming that the officer had engaged in an Rs 20 crore scheme in an attempt to blackmail him.
In a bid to further discredit ADGP Chandrashekar, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy brought up the case of suspended police inspector Kishore Kumar, who is embroiled in criminal cases related to the illegal sale of PACL lands. According to Kumaraswamy, Kishore Kumar had accused ADGP Chandrashekar of demanding Rs 20 crore as part of an extortion attempt. However, this accusation was dismissed by the court in November 2023 due to a lack of evidence.
Despite the court's ruling in favor of Chandrashekar, a disinformation campaign was being run to suppress this key judicial decision and derail the ongoing investigations conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). He suggested that this extortion claim was being used to cloud the truth and distract from the real issues at hand.
The court's dismissal of Kishore Kumar's case against Chandrashekar further complicates the narrative surrounding the ongoing investigation. While Kumaraswamy is using Kishore Kumar's allegations to call Chandrashekar's integrity into question, the legal system has already weighed in, rejecting the extortion claims. Yet, Kumaraswamy's continued support for Kishore Kumar raises eyebrows, as the suspended officer remains entangled in serious criminal charges involving fraudulent land deals.
Despite the serious allegations against Kishore Kumar, Kumaraswamy has continued to raise concerns about ADGP Chandrashekar’s role in the investigation, defending the suspended officer and questioning the motivations behind the SIT’s probe.
Kishore Kumar, who has also been accused of creating fake sale deeds and illegally selling PACL land, is at the center of the Pearls Agrotech Corporation Ltd. (PACL) land scam, which defrauded investors of over ₹50,000 crore across India.
Kumaraswamy also claimed to have looked into Chandrashekar’s career history and questioned the legitimacy of his transfer to the Karnataka IPS cadre. He accused Chandrashekar of using false pretenses to extend his stay in Karnataka, originally coming from the Himachal Pradesh cadre of the 1998 IPS batch. The minister alleged that Chandrashekar forged documents, falsely citing health concerns and unsuitable weather conditions in Himachal Pradesh to secure a long-term deputation in Karnataka.
ADGP M Chandrashekar, who is heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the Sandur mining case, was quick to respond to the explosive allegations made by Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy. In a sharp rebuttal, Chandrashekar dismissed the accusations of blackmail as baseless and retaliated with his own strong words. Quoting an old saying, he remarked, “Never wrestle with pigs, you both get dirty and the pig likes it,” signaling his belief that Kumaraswamy’s accusations were meant to provoke and tarnish his reputation.
Refusing to remain silent in the face of the minister’s allegations, Chandrashekar announced his intention to pursue legal action against Kumaraswamy for defamation. The officer made it clear that he would not allow false claims to go unchallenged and that he intended to uphold his integrity both personally and professionally.
HD Kumaraswamy’s involvement in the Sandur mining case, which revolves around Sri Sai Venkateshwara Minerals, has been a contentious issue for years. The case gained fresh momentum recently when it came to light that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by ADGP M Chandrashekar, had sought the Governor's approval to prosecute the Union Minister. The request for permission from Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to move forward with legal action against Kumaraswamy has intensified tensions between the two sides.
Sources within political and legal circles suggest that this step may have triggered the latest wave of hostility, including Kumaraswamy’s public allegations against Chandrashekar. The Union Minister, who has consistently maintained his innocence, now appears to view the SIT’s push for prosecution as a politically motivated attack, designed to damage his reputation and standing.
In addition to his accusations against ADGP Chandrashekar, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy also launched a scathing attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Kumaraswamy accused Siddaramaiah of using state machinery, particularly the police force, for politically motivated investigations during his tenure. According to Kumaraswamy, none of the investigations initiated under Siddaramaiah’s government were transparent, and many were allegedly carried out to target political rivals.
Kumaraswamy further alleged that Chandrashekar’s involvement in the Sandur mining investigation was not coincidental but part of a larger plan. He claimed that Chandrashekar had been promised the prestigious post of Bengaluru Police Commissioner by Siddaramaiah’s government, which explains why the officer was taking him on so aggressively. Kumaraswamy went on to accuse Siddaramaiah of using the lure of this high-ranking position to manipulate officers into doing his bidding, claiming that both Chandrashekar and another officer, B.K. Singh, were offered the same post in exchange for their loyalty.
Kumaraswamy took his allegations further by accusing ADGP Chandrashekar of leaking a highly confidential letter from the Governor to the Lokayukta regarding the Sandur mining case. According to Kumaraswamy, this letter, which pertains to the investigation against him, was shared with a private news channel in an effort to smear his family’s reputation. He claimed that the media has been running a negative campaign against him for months, based on this leaked document.
The Union Minister expressed his anger, stating that such actions were not only damaging to his personal and political image but also deeply unethical. Kumaraswamy alleged that Chandrashekar was using his influence to manipulate the media and public opinion against him. He accused the officer of intentionally trying to weaken his position by involving his family in the controversy, suggesting that the leak was a deliberate attempt to discredit him ahead of crucial political moments.
Kumaraswamy also raised concerns about the officer seeking permission to investigate staff within the Governor’s office, a constitutional body that represents the President of India. He strongly opposed the idea, calling it an overreach and an unacceptable intrusion into the functioning of a high constitutional authority.
In the midst of these accusations, Kumaraswamy’s backing of the suspended officer has sparked widespread criticism. The fact that the courts have dismissed extortion claims made by Kishore Kumar against Chandrashekar further complicates the Union Minister’s stance.
Critics have questioned why Kumaraswamy would defend an officer with such a tarnished record, especially given the ongoing investigations and FIRs against Kishore Kumar. Some view Kumaraswamy’s support as a deliberate attempt to discredit the SIT and its investigations into his own involvement in the Sandur mining case. Others speculate that Kumaraswamy is using Kishore Kumar’s allegations as a means to cast doubt on Chandrashekar’s credibility and shift focus away from the legal challenges he faces.
This growing controversy surrounding Kishore Kumar has only added to the complexities of the case, with observers noting that the Union Minister’s actions could be seen as an attempt to undermine the investigation into his own conduct, further fueling suspicions of political maneuvering.
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BJP announces candidate for bypoll to Council from Dakshina Kannada constituency
Mangaluru, Oct 1: BJP on Tuesday announced the candidature of Kishore Kumar Puttur for by-election to the Karnataka Legislative Council from Dakshina Kannada Local Authorities' Constituency.
The bypoll, necessitated following the election of former minister and senior BJP leader Kota Srinivasa Poojary to Lok Sabha, will be held on October 21.
The ruling Congress is yet to announce its nominee.
Congratulating Puttur, state BJP President B Y Vijayendra said: "Bharatiya Janata Party has always emphasised on social justice. In this regard, by selecting Kishore Kumar Puttur, who belongs to the most backward community, as a candidate, the party leaders have shown commitment to social justice and political representation for the underprivileged communities...."
The last date for filing nominations is October 3, and scrutiny will take place on October 4. October 7 will be the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
Votes will be counted on October 24.
ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಿಂದ ವಿಧಾನ ಪರಿಷತ್ತಿಗೆ ನಡೆಯುವ ಉಪಚುನಾವಣೆಗೆ ಬಿಜೆಪಿ (ಎನ್.ಡಿ.ಎ) ಅಭ್ಯರ್ಥಿಯಾಗಿ ಆಯ್ಕೆಯಾಗಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀ ಕಿಶೋರ್ ಕುಮಾರ್ ಪುತ್ತೂರು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು.
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) October 1, 2024
ಭಾರತೀಯ ಜನತಾ ಪಾರ್ಟಿ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ನ್ಯಾಯಕ್ಕೆ ನಿರಂತರ ಒತ್ತುಕೊಡುತ್ತಾ ಬಂದಿದೆ. ಈ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿ ಹಿಂದುಳಿದ ಸಮಾಜಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇರಿದ… pic.twitter.com/hMlmUvFBRL
