Bengaluru, Sep 16 (IANS) Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Wednesday said allegations could not be made against anyone without documents or evidence, while responding to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s remarks pointing at Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids against him, his family members and associates.
Speaking to the media, Jarkiholi said, “Let’s see. I don’t have any information in that regard. Let’s discuss. At present, we cannot make allegations against anyone. There are no documents or evidence with us now. When the appropriate time comes, everything will become clear.”
When asked about his earlier claim that a conspiracy was being hatched against him after he staked a claim to the Chief Minister’s post, Jarkiholi said no allegations could be made at present.
“Let’s see. Currently, no allegation can be made,” he said.
The ED has been investigating allegations linked to foreign investments and financial transactions involving sugar baron Jarkiholi and his associates. The agency had recently conducted searches at multiple premises in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Gokak and Kolkata in connection with the case.
According to the ED officials, the investigation has also focussed on alleged hawala transactions and illegal transfer of money. Questions have been raised over whether provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) could be invoked in the case.
ED Director Rahul Naveen is understood to have questioned officials over the progress of the investigation following the searches. He reportedly questioned why the investigation had not progressed despite information being gathered during the raids and asked officials about examining the case under the PMLA in addition to the FEMA-related probe.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Priyank Kharge had criticised the ED, questioning the number of cases it had secured convictions in despite registering thousands of cases.
The ED has reportedly taken the criticism seriously amid the ongoing investigation into the allegations related to foreign investments.
Meanwhile, members of the district Ahinda group staged a protest in Sindhanur in Raichur district against the ED raids targeting Jarkiholi. The protesters described Jarkiholi as an Ahinda leader and opposed the action against him.
Jarkiholi also attended the KDP meeting held at the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi on Wednesday. He arrived in Belagavi by helicopter from his native Gokak amid the ongoing developments surrounding the ED raids.
During the meeting, Jarkiholi was seen interacting with officials, public representatives and other leaders in a relaxed manner.
It can be noted that Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel on Tuesday pointed a finger at Karnataka Chief Minister over the ED raids on Jarkiholi, alleging that people within the Congress could be behind the action. He alleged that Shivakumar had finished off his political rivals earlier and now it was the turn of Jarkiholi.
Responding to the allegations, D.K. Shivakumar hit back by challenging H.D. Kumaraswamy to release whatever documents he had against him in the case and not make baseless accusations.
–IANS
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