DVS shielding Krishna, HDK: Activist

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A petitioner before the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee, which has looked into illegal mining cases, has alleged that chief minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda is shielding his predecessors S.M. Krishna and H.D. Kumaraswamy as they belong to his community, Vokkaliga.

Social activist T.J. Abraham on Friday said the state has given a “discreet response” to a CEC letter recommending a CBI probe into the roles played by the two and also Mr Dharam Singh. The state has stated that despite de-reservation of forests during Mr Krishna’s tenure, “the nature of the land remains the same that of forest”.

He criticised the state government’s response to the CEC as a “blatant lie”. “Responding to the allegation that de-reservation of forests was contempt of a 1995 Supreme Court order, the state said it has not changed the character of forest. It also lied that the Lokayukta report has not recommended any action against Mr Kumaraswamy and Mr Singh. The BJP, which attacks the Congress for rampant corruption, is protecting leaders of the same party,’’ he said.

The state government has stated: “The state government has not changed the character of forest/sanctuaries/national parks for mining purpose. The state government has de-reserved the areas to grant leases to mining public, which was earlier meant only for PSUs. Though the area was de-reserved, the nature of the land remains the same; forests.’’

Mr Abraham said the Lokayukta report had recommended that the state take appropriate action against Mr Kumaraswamy in chapter 16 and 17. The chapter 17 said: “It is open for the state government to take appropriate action against him for his misconduct as stated in this chapter.” Mr Abraham said even the Karnataka High Court confirmed reference for investigation of offenses in the cases pertaining to Mr Krishna and Mr Kumaraswamy.

Mr Abraham said he will file a complaint under Section 218 of IPC along with other sections of Prevention Corruption Act against the state government for concealing facts to the CEC.