Big conspiracy going on to finish me politically, says Deputy CM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Jan 1: With the Central Bureau of Investigation serving notice to Kerala-based Jaihind Communications Pvt Ltd channel headed by him, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday alleged that a big conspiracy is going on to finish him politically.
The central agency issued a notice to the firm on Sunday seeking details of the investments made in the channel by Shivakumar in connection with a disproportionate assets case against the Congress leader.
The Bengaluru unit of the agency, which is probing the case against Shivakumar, had asked the managing director of Jaihind Communications Pvt. Ltd. to appear before it on January 11, 2024, along with all the requisite documents sought by the investigation officer.
Reacting to the latest development, the Deputy CM said if the CBI wants to arrest him, then let them do so as he is prepared for it.
Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress unit president, wondered how the CBI was issuing notices against his firm though it had all the documents with it.
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"I don't know how they are issuing notices. They have all the documents with them. It's not because they don't have any documents. There are big people to harass me. I know it all. It's not that I am unaware of it. Let them do whatever they want to finish me politically," Shivakumar, who is an MLA from Kanakapura, told reporters here.
"There is a big conspiracy going on. Some BJP leaders had said earlier that they would send me to jail. They have conveyed their message to the department concerned. I have asked those who have spoken about me to come for discussion. There is a big plot being hatched," he said.
Stating that he has not done anything wrong, and he will get justice, Shivakumar said let the CBI conduct any inquiry against him.
To a question whether he had got the notice, he said his firm had got it.
"My partnership firm of which I am the chief, has been served notice. They are asking my children, my wife and relatives. The CBI is asking our family members and those from our village who are directors of the society," Shivakumar explained.
When asked whether he got individual notice, he said the CBI will first finish their investigation at the firm level and then come after him.
Shivakumar said the state government had handed over the matter to Lokayukta though he did not request or insist on it.
The government has withdrawn the permission granted to the CBI to prosecute cases against him and handed over the case to the Lokayukta.
He said that he would answer the Lokayukta whenever it asks for it.
"Earlier the case was given to the CBI. The investigation has not been completed yet. They wanted cross-examination, which they haven't done. Now, based on their notice, (it seems) they did not do even 10 per cent of the investigation, but they told the court that 90 per cent of the inquiry is over. I don't know the basis behind their claim," Shivakumar pointed out.
To a question about whether he would challenge the notice, he said the CBI is summoning him but "there is no occasion for me to go there."
"They are asking me to challenge their notice. If they want to see me behind bars, then let them do it. I have no problem. I am ready for it," he said.
Shivakumar who is accused in a money laundering case, had spent 51 days in Tihar Jail in 2019.
Recently, the Karnataka government withdrew the permission granted to the CBI to probe cases against Shivakumar, saying that it was not in accordance with law'.
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Karnataka Minister Muniyappa to hold meeting to resolve Auto LPG supply issue
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister K H Muniyappa on Monday said that he will call a meeting on April 10 aimed at resolving the Auto LPG supply issue in the state.
He also said that private oil companies had hiked LPG prices for vehicles, leading to long queues at public sector stations.
Bengaluru and several other places in the state are witnessing disruption in auto services, hit by a shortage of Auto LPG. Long queues of autos are seen outside fuel stations at many places.
On Monday, the minister met with representatives of auto drivers' associations and heard their concerns.
"We are aware that auto drivers are in distress. Around 3,000 Auto LPG cylinders are being supplied by the central government daily, but private suppliers have increased the price, which is causing inconvenience to auto drivers. I will immediately call a meeting to resolve the issue," Muniyappa, who holds Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs portfolios, said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "The government supplies approximately 3,000 Auto LPG cylinders daily. The private companies also supply equal numbers of cylinders. I have learned that private companies have increased the prices. I will speak to the concerned officials."
"On April 10, I will call a meeting and try to solve the issue. Auto drivers' lives depend on these LPG supplies, so I will try to resolve the issue on a priority basis," he said, adding that private companies representatives, union government officials, Indian Oil Corporation coordinators, police and senior state government officials will also be called for the meeting.
According to official sources, PSU-operated outlets, including those of IOC, are retailing Auto LPG at around Rs 89.52 per litre in Bengaluru, whereas private marketers are selling between Rs 99 and Rs 105 per litre. This difference has led to a significant shift in customer preference toward PSU-operated Auto LPG Dispensing Stations (ALDS), resulting in increased footfall and longer wait times at these stations.
Stating that the situation is serious as the war is on in West Asia, the minister sought cooperation from everyone.
"The energy or fuel crisis is there across the world. If the Centre had planned to get the energy supplies from Russia a month in advance, this situation would not have arisen. Things have happened now. Let's try and resolve the issues," he added.
