Karnataka govt plans to constitute SIT to probe scams in city-based cooperative banks: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Apr 24: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said the state government is planning to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to probe alleged scams in city-based cooperative banks, and claimed the involvement of BJP leaders in them.
The state Congress chief was referring to alleged financial frauds involving Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank, its sister concern Sri Guru Sarvabhauma Souharda Credit Cooperative Ltd and Sri Vasista Credit Souharda Sahakari Ltd, which come under the Bangalore South Lok Sabha constituency limits.
Shivakumar said a group of depositors met Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday here before she left to Kerala for campaigning, and submitted her a petition seeking justice.
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"There are three lakh depositors who have suffered. Some 300 of them have since died, and many of them are senior citizens...When the BJP was in power, they promised to hand it (probe) over to the CBI. But our government (on coming to power) gave it to the CBI....But since BJP leaders are involved and they have indulged in the fraud, the CBI has neither registered a case nor has started inquiry," he told reporters.
"Priyanka Gandhi has asked Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) and me (Shivakumar) to consider constituting an SIT and take action in accordance with law. Immediately after the election, we will decide on this and ensure justice," he said.
"Your hard earned savings have been taken by BJP leaders. It shouldn't have happened," Shivakumar said, urging depositors to stay strong and assuring that the government will try to protect their interest.
Siddaramaiah had in December last year approved handing over the probe into alleged scams at the three cooperative banks to CBI.
According to reports, irregularities at the Guru Raghavendra Bank is to the tune of Rs 1,294 crore, while the Guru Sarvabhauma Society reportedly lost Rs 284 crore due to financial misappropriation, and fraud at the Vasishta Cooperative Bank is said to be tune of Rs 282 crore.
Recently, Bangalore South BJP MP and candidate for Lok Sabha polls, Tejasvi Surya abruptly left an election campaign meeting in his constituency, after depositors at Sri Guru Raghavendra bank allegedly heckled him over the delay in getting back their money. However, Surya's office later blamed those allegedly associated with the Congress party for the incident.
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Hemant Karkare killed by RSS-linked cop, not Kasab: Maharashtra LoP Vijay Wadettiwar
BJP writes to ECI for action against Cong leader Wadettiwar for 'defaming' Ujjwal Nikam
Mumbai, May 5: The BJP has written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against Congress and the opposition leader, Vijay Wadettiwar, for allegedly peddling lies and defaming its Mumbai North Central nominee and ex-26/11 prosecution lawyer Ujjwal Nikam.
Wadettiwar, the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, purportedly called Nikam an "anti-national" and accused him of hiding the information that then Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare wasn't killed by Kasab's bullet during the 26/11 terror attack, but fell to a bullet of a policeman affiliated to RSS.
His allegations were based on the book "Who Killed Karkare" written by retired police officer SM Mushriff.
"As a responsible leader, the opposition leader should desist from making such comments that can help the enemy nation," Nikam said.
Terming Wadettiwar's statements as "false and not based on facts", Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shekar claimed they were aimed at defaming Ujjwal Nikam and inciting emotions.
"We have written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against Wadettiwar who is a star campaigner (of Congress) and also against the Congress party for peddling lies," he added.
Shelar further said (Ajmal) Kasab was sentenced to death for killing innocent people after following a due process of law.
Kasab was the lone terrorist who was captured alive by Mumbai Police during the 26/11 terror attack by Pakistani terrorists in which at least 166 people were killed and several others were injured.
Shelar wondered whether Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray supported the statement made by the Congress leader.
A former special public prosecutor, Nikam had represented the state in high-profile cases like the Mumbai serial bomb blasts and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
He is making his political foray from Mumbai North Central seat on a BJP ticket and is pitted against city Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad.
