The CBI started raids early today in a purported corruption case against Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar in Karnataka, Mumbai and Delhi.
The present raids – being carried out at 14 premises – have been called by the Congress as an “endeavor to crash our groundwork for bypolls” in Karnataka.
The purported corruption case was enrolled by the CBI dependent on the sources of info shared by the Enforcement Directorate over a tax evasion test.
“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 nine in Karnataka, four in Delhi, and one in Mumbai,” the probe agency said this morning in a statement.
A year ago, the 58-year-old Karnataka Congress chief was booked by the Enforcement Directorate following four days of addressing over tax evasion charges.
The September 2019 booked includes tax raids on Mr Shivakumar in 2017, when Rs 8.6 crore in “undisclosed earnings” was purportedly found. The figure was overhauled to Rs 11 crore later. The Enforcement Directorate had recorded an money laundering case against Mr Shivakumar in 2018, in view of a chargesheet documented by the Income Tax office.
During the money laundering probe, the Enforcement Directorate had sent a portion of their findings to the CBI a year ago. This is the main CBI case against the 58-year-old Congress pioneer.
A few groups from Delhi, Maharashtra started the pursuits at around 6:30 am, as per the sources. Aside from DK Shivakumar, premises of his relatives and his partners are likewise being probed. About Rs 50 lakh have been seized so far from the 14 locations. Bypolls will be held in Karnataka on November 3. The Congress has regularly asserted the CBI is being utilized by the BJP to focus on the opponents.
Reacting to the quests, ex-Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah tweeted: “@BJP4India has consistently attempted to enjoy malicious politics and deceived public . The most recent CBI raids on @KPCCPresident @chanderveer-singhDKShivakuma ‘s house is another endeavor to crash our groundwork for bypolls. I firmly denounce this.”
