The CBI raided 14 properties belonging to DK Shivakumar and his associates on Monday.
The Central Bureau of Investigation concluded the search and seizure operation on several properties belonging to the Chairman of the Karnataka Pradesh Congressional Committee, DK Shivakumar, 13 hours after it began. At 6 a.m. Monday, CBI detectives simultaneously searched 14 properties belonging to Shivakumar and his brother, Bengaluru Rural MP DK Suresh.
The CBI also registered an FIR against Shivakumar. Speaking to the media after the search was over, Shivakumar said: “I want to ask the CM one thing. You have given the CBI permission to conduct an investigation. So why was the FIR registered on September 30? Why couldn’t they do it before? Why did they do it after I announced my plans to protest? “DK Shivakumar said, referring to the announcement that he would lead the protest in Bengaluru in connection with the Hathras rape case.
He said that the CBI found Rs 1.47 lakh in their residences and nothing else. He said reports that a large amount of cash was found were false. When asked about the IWC’s statement on the disproportionate asset charge, he said: “Then hang me. The value of the property has increased since I bought it. They are asking for market value. CBI has granted a verification period from 2013 to 2018. Let them investigate. I don’t care. I’m a law-abiding citizen. ”
He said he would cooperate fully with the CBI investigation and maintained that the searches were politically motivated. “Before these IT raids, were there any criminal cases against me in my political life? Have I ever been involved in any corruption case before? Especially when you were Minister of Cooperation, Minister of Energy and Minister of Water Resources? No. You have now turned in all the documents and what have you found? Go ahead and investigate, ”he added.
Shivakumar challenged Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and said that he would not be killed by intimidation tactics. He questioned Yediyurappa and indicated that the cases against him were planned in advance. “Chief Minister, tell me one thing. Have you planned how many times I have to be investigated and how many times I have to go to jail? ” he said.
He said his friends and family have been harassed in recent years due to “politically motivated cases” against him. “Is DK Shivakumar the only person you found? If you think you can silence me, you are dreaming. I am strong, I have my people, my national leaders and until they are with me, this intimidation will not overwhelm me. This is purely politics and if you want to dedicate yourself to politics, we are going to talk to the voters, ”he added.
CBI registers FIR
After the search was concluded, the CBI said that an FIR was filed against Shivakumar claiming that he was allegedly in possession of disproportionate assets worth Rs 74.93 crore in his name and on behalf of his family members. The CBI registered the FIR on October 2.
In September 2019, the Karnataka government had granted the CBI permission to launch an investigation against Shivakumar. The Union government subsequently granted the permit as well, after which the IWC launched its investigation in March 2020 against Shivakumar and his associates.
“Searches were carried out today in 14 locations including Karnataka, Delhi, Mumbai at the premises of said MLA (DK Shivakumar) and others, leading to the recovery of cash of Rs 57 lakh and various incriminating documents including documents property, bank information, disk, etc. The investigation continues, ”said the CBI in a statement.
The CBI launched an investigation against Shivakumar after the Enforcement Directorate shared information related to his finances with the agency. The ED is investigating the money laundering case against Shivakumar. The DE arrested him in September 2019 and he was in Tihar jail for 51 days before the Delhi High Court granted him bail.
The DE had accused Shivakumar of laundering black money through various attorneys-in-fact, including members of his family and close associates.
