On Monday, the Central Bureau of Investigation has conducted raids at multiple locations including residences as well as business establishments of the Karnataka Congress Chief DK Shivakumar and his brother – Bengaluru Rural MP DK Suresh in an alleged corruption case. Also, the CBI has registered a case against DK Shivakumar on allegations of the acquisition of disproportionate assets.
“CBI has registered a case against then Minister of Karnataka Government and others on the allegations of acquisition of Disproportionate Assets. Searches are being conducted today at 14 locations including 9 in Karnataka, 4 in Delhi, one in Mumbai. Details will follow,” stated the agency in a statement.
As per sources, searches are being conducted at more than 14 locations including Karnataka, Delhi, and Mumbai.
Nonetheless, the raids were condemned by the senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah who cited that “@BJP4India has always tried to indulge in vindictive politics & mislead public attention. The latest CBI raid on @KPCCPresident @DKShivakumar’s house is another attempt to derail our preparation for by-polls. I strongly condemn this.” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also condemned the raids.
Earlier in 2018, a money laundering case was filed against Shivakumar following an investigation by the Income Tax Department in 2017 wherein an amount of more than Rs. 8 Crore was found in locations of New Delhi alleged linked to the Congress leader. The ED had registered a case on the basis of IT investigations and the complaint to the court of tax evasion and criminal conspiracy to evade tax under Section 120 B of the Indian Penal Code. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), Shivakumar was charged with tax evasion and ‘hawala’ transactions worth crores of rupees.
Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Shivakumar on 3rd September 2019.
