H.D. Kumaraswamy’s DNA filled with hate politics: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar launched a scathing attack on Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy over the Kethaganahalli land encroachment case, accusing him of engaging in hate politics and stating that it is ingrained in his DNA.He was addressing press persons at Vidhana Soudha on Thursday.
Responding to allegations regarding the Kethaganahalli land encroachment case, Shivakumar clarified that the case was filed by activist S.R. Hiremath, and officials conducted a survey based on a court order. "How can this be termed as hate politics?" he questioned.
Furthermore, Shivakumar said, "Did we file the case in court regarding this issue? Hiremath has filed multiple cases against me as well. The court issued directions based on his petition, and officials are acting accordingly. Where is the politics of hate in this?"
Referring to past allegations, Shivakumar further asked, "What did Kumaraswamy say against me in Mysuru? What did his father say about me? Cases were filed against me, my wife, my sister, and my brother. I have no connection with Ballari, yet wasn’t I accused of illegal ore mining? Didn’t Kumaraswamy investigate me? We merely formed a government with him. If he is honorable, then it’s fine," he remarked.
Shivakumar also alleged that Kumaraswamy’s party pressured the Centre to prevent the renaming of Ramanagara district. "We are aware of the law. There is no need to seek anyone’s permission under the Constitution. We have submitted a proposal to provide necessary information," he said.
He further alleged that some ministers in New Delhi were conspiring to obstruct the renaming process. "We will not bow down to such pressures. We know the legal procedure for renaming a district, and we will change Ramanagara to Bengaluru South," he asserted.
Regarding the Pennar river water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Shivakumar mentioned that the Centre had scheduled multiple mediation meetings per the court’s order. "During the Belagavi session, we requested a rescheduling. Now, the Centre has to submit a report to the court and has invited us for a meeting on March 18," he explained.
He clarified Karnataka’s stance, stating, "There are reports suggesting that Karnataka refused to participate in the discussions. However, the minister called and officially informed us that the meeting had been postponed. The Union Minister will hold separate talks with Tamil Nadu, possibly for political reasons. Before attending the meeting, I had already discussed the matter in the cabinet and conveyed our government’s stand," he said.
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ED arrests Sandeepa Virk, 'cosmetologist' for alleged money laundering
New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate said on Wednesday it has arrested a woman, who claims to be an actor and a cosmetologist, under the anti-money laundering law in a case of alleged fraud and misrepresentation.
The agency said the purported links of the woman, Sandeepa Virk, with a Reliance Group executive, Angarai Natarajan Sethuraman (President, Corporate Affairs), are also under its scanner. Sethuraman, in a statement, denied any connection with Virk or any transactions related to her.
Virk was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Tuesday after searches were conducted against her and her associates in Delhi and Mumbai over the last two days.
A special court sent her to the ED's custody till August 14, the agency said. The woman claims to be the owner of a skin care products selling website named hyboocare.com, which the ED claimed was a "front" for money laundering.
She and her associates are being probed for allegedly exerting undue influence through "misrepresentation" and "defrauding" individuals by soliciting money under false pretences.
According to an Instagram ID of Virk, she is an actor and entrepreneur and the founder of the said website.
The federal agency said in a statement that the woman was also "in touch with" Sethuraman, former director of erstwhile Reliance Capital Limited.
She was communicating with him regarding "illegal liaisoning", the ED claimed, adding that the searches at Sethuraman's residence "confirmed" these allegations.
"Besides, diversion of funds for personal benefit has also been unearthed during the course of the search action," it said.
The ED alleged that public money worth about Rs 18 crore belonging to Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL) was disbursed to Sethuraman in 2018 by "flouting" prudent lending norms.
The funds were lent under terms that allowed a deferment of the principal amount as well as the interest, with multiple waivers granted and no due diligence conducted, it said.
The ED claimed that besides this, a home loan of Rs 22 crore was provided by Reliance Capital Limited by "violating" the prudential norms. "A large part of these loans are seen to have been eventually siphoned off and remained unpaid," it alleged.
Sethuraman, in a statement, dismissed the allegations as "baseless". He denied any connection with Virk or any transactions related to her.
Detailing about Virk's web portal, the agency said it purportedly sold FDA-approved beauty products. However, the ED said the products listed on the website have been found to be non-existent and the portal lacks a user registration option and is plagued by persistent payment gateway issues.
A scrutiny of the website uncovered minimal social-media engagement, an inactive WhatsApp contact number and an absence of transparent organisational details, all of which reinforce the finding of "non-genuine" commercial activity, the ED claimed.
"These factors, including limited product range, inflated pricing, false claims of FDA approval and technical inconsistencies, indicate that the website serves as a front for laundering funds," it said.
Another social media-hosted bio data of the woman said she is a certified cosmetologist.
The ED said several "incriminating" documents were seized during the searches and the statement of a man named Farrukh Ali, stated to be an associate of Virk, was recorded.
The money-laundering case stems from an FIR lodged by the Punjab Police.
Sethuraman said that the home loan he received from Reliance Capital was granted following due process and was secured by the property offered as collateral.
