‘CBI is biased’: Karnataka govt withdraws consent for agency to probe cases in state

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government on Thursday withdrew open consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a probe in the state.

Law Minister HK Patil termed the Central Bureau of Investigation as “biased” and said that the government has taken the decision to prevent CBI from taking the wrong path

“We are withdrawing open consent for CBI investigation in the state. We are expressing our concerns about the misuse of the CBI. In all the cases we have referred to the CBI, they have not filed charge sheets, leaving many cases pending. They have also refused to investigate several cases we have sent. There are numerous such instances. They are biased. That’s why we are taking the decision. It’s not because of the MUDA case. We have taken this decision to control them (CBI) from taking the wrong path”, Patil said, addressing a press conference.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil says, “We have decided that blanket decision to permit CBI is now withdrawn and case by case we will consider it. The wisdom of the Cabinet was to be cautious.” pic.twitter.com/OkUN8zGQxm

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2024

He further said that the entire Congress party stands in support of CM Siddaramaiah “The whole cabinet expresses its solidarity with the CM. The legislature party and high command are with him and encouraged him to fight back”, he added.

Patil said that the CBI is not relevant in the MUDA case as the Special Court has already ordered an investigation by Lokayukta. “Apart from that, the important decision we’ve taken today is that no communication like of explanation or a detail note shall go to the governor without cabinet and after our advice, the chief secretary can send it to Governor…Even Raj Bhavan is being abused by the BJP. The MUDA case is already suggested to be investigated by Lokayukta, and that suggestion is by the High Court. That’s why the CBI is not relevant here (in the MUDA case)”, Patil said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: Karnataka Law Minister HK Patil says, “Apart from that, the important decision we’ve taken today is that no communication like of explanation or a detail note shall go to Governor without cabinet and after our advice, the chief secretary can send it to… pic.twitter.com/S6qCJo0T7R

— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2024

On Wednesday, a Special Court for elected representatives in Bengaluru passed an order directing Karnataka Lokyukta to conduct an investigation against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the allegation of illegalities in the allotment of 14 sites worth Rs 56 crore to his wife Parvathi by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

The Lokayukta’s Mysuru district police will have to conduct the investigation and will submit its report in three months. The Special Court’s order came after the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday vacated its interim stay order granted on August 19, directing the court to defer the decision on the complaints against Siddaramaiah.

On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court had dismissed Siddaramaiah’s petition challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s approval for an investigation into alleged illegalities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority’s (MUDA) allotting sites to his wife.

It is alleged that MUDA illegally allotted 14 sites to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife in the prime location of Mysuru city. The High Court, in its interim order passed on August 19, had granted a temporary relief to Siddaramaiah by directing a special court in Bengaluru to defer further proceedings and not to take any precipitative action pursuant to the sanction granted by the Governor. (ANI)