Daijiworld Media Network – Mysore (SP)

Mysore, Jul 4: Chairman of Karnataka State Housing Board, G T Deve Gowda, claimed that the accused in the abduction and murder of two students from Hunsur are not only Congress activists, but also supporters of the local MLA. “The MLA has not issued any statement after the culprits were nabbed, as he came to know that his own men were involved in the crime. There is no doubt that the accused are the supporters of MLA, H P Manjunath. He was seen escorting the accused to various places before the incident,” Gowda alleged, speaking to journalists here on Sunday.

He noted that district and state level Congress leaders had levelled various allegations against him, relating to the incident. He clarified that he felt it would be improper to get engaged in unnecessary wrangling at a time when close ones of the students were mourning. “During my visit to the houses of the slain students, I had promised to nab culprits within three days, and the promise was kept,” he said.

“I have not played politics by using the services of police officials as alleged. As Bangalore city crime branch officials have taken up investigation, more truth will be revealed soon into the incident. I have demanded for an in-depth investigation into the involvement of people and institutions in the murders, and gallows for the culprits,” he asserted.

He also added that he has no objection if an investigation into the lapses on the part of the police officials in the case is ordered. “I have not been shielding any police officer. The top police officials have not been transferred as there is a standing order not to transfer them for two years,” he clarified.