Kumaraswamy attempts to thwart investigation into illegal mining cases, says ADGP | News from India

“The SIT, after preparing the inquiry report and finding substantial evidence and material to prosecute the accused (Kumaraswamy), had written to HE the Governor of Karnataka seeking sanction for prosecution of the accused Sh HD Kumaraswamy on 21/11/2023,” Sekhar said in his complaint filed at Sanjay Nagar police station.

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, in his letter dated July 29, 2024, sought certain clarifications after going through the report, he said.

This communication and other documents reached the Special Investigation Team (SIT) 11 days later, on the evening of August 8. The requested clarifications were sent on August 19 and the governor returned the file on August 29 with a request for translation from Kannada to English, the ADGP said.

“The SIT is just one step away from prosecuting this accused Kumaraswamy,” Sekhar said.

Kumaraswamy, who is out on bail, spoke at a series of press briefings on September 28 “and made false and malicious allegations and threats to me”, he claimed.

Sekhar alleged that this was done to dissuade him and the SIT from pursuing charges against Kumaraswamy.

“The accused, with a preconceived plan to derail the investigation by the SIT against him, attacked me verbally and threatened to have me transferred from my cadre to another state.

“Quite clearly, the accused is intimidating me by threatening to make me leave Karnataka and also cause problems for my family members. The accused, by his conduct, has threatened me and my family with harm , to refrain and prevent me from pursuing proceedings against the accused This act of the accused constitutes an offense punishable under section 224 BNS 2023,” the ADGP said in its complaint.

First publication: October 12, 2024 | 6:50 a.m. STI