Bangalore: Home Minister Ashok Calls on Lokayukta Justice Hegde

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jul 19: Even as political circles in the entire State are agog with various kinds of speculation on the political fallout of Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santhosh Hegde’s submission of the final report on the illegal mining issue this week to the State Government, Home Minister R Ashok called on the latter in his office and discussed various issues, including providing vehicles to police officers posted at the office of the ombudsman against graft.

Ashok, who is also holding charge of the Transport Department and is considered the number two man in the B S Yeddyurappa regime, told reporters after the meeting that he has assured the Lokayukta of providing necessary equipment and vehicles for police officers.

The Lokayukta police come under the jurisdiction of the Home Department and therefore he had informed Justice Hegde that 15 vehicles would be provided to officers soon.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister will be leaving on a week-long private visit to Mauritius with his family members on Wednesday. Though the visit is supposed to be a private holiday with family members, political circles claim that Yeddyurappa is trying to be outside the line of fire when the Lokayukta’s final report is submitted to the government because of the likely indictment of the Yeddyurappa’s regime in illegal mining.

Justice Hegde, who is due to retire next month on the completion of his term, in his discussions with the minister demanded funds for upgradation of offices and purchase of equipment.

The Minister promised to write to the officers concerned in the department to provide Toyota and Kirlosakar’s Innova vehicles to Superintendent of Police (SP) rank officials and Mahindra’s Bolero vehicles for other police officers.

As many as 15 vehicles would be given now against the demand for 30, Ashok said.

The Home Department has set aside Rs. 40 crore for upgradation and modernisation of police force in 2011-12.

The Minister said the investigation allowances of Rs. 3,000 month would also be extended to police officers posted at the Lokayukta.

Asked whether any discussion with regard to the submission of the report on illegal mining took place during the meeting, Ashok said he discussed issues that pertained to the Home Department and nothing else.

Police probing KFD’s possible involvement in Mysore Clashes

The Home Minister disclosed that the possible involvement of the Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) in the 2009 Mysore communal violence and terror strike at Indian Institute of Science here was being probed by the police.

Investigation into a murder case in which three members of KFD were arrested, has exposed that the organisation has a wide network as 40 SIM cards were recovered from them, he said.

Several BJP leaders in the state have demanded ban on KFD, terming it a “terror outfit.”

An IIT Delhi professor was killed and four people were injured in the 2005 terror strike at IISc Bangalore.

He said the police have been tracking telephone calls made by Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) members to various other organisations to unearth their nexus with various terrorist outfits in the country.

Ashok said KFD activists were involved in the murder of a businessman Thyagraja Pillai in Mysore in May 2010. Already six KFD activists have been arrested in connection with the recent kidnap and murder of two college students of Hunsur in Mysore district.

“Two murder cases clearly indicted that KFD activists are involved in anti-social activities for raising fund. We are tracking telephone calls made by KFD members to unearth their activities and links with terrorist outfits,” the minister said.

He said three persons, who have been arrested in connection with Thyagaraja Pillai murder case, have admitted that they had murdered the businessman for the financial gain. The government was considering banning the KFD in the wake of reports that some members of the organisation were indulging in anti-social activities, he said.

“The possible involvement of the KFD in the 2009 Mysore communal violence and terror strike at Indian Institute of Science is also being probed. We are collecting more information on the activities of KFD,” he said adding: ``The issue of imposing a ban on it will be discussed with the chief minister and a decision will be taken later.”

Already, the Government has urged the Centre to ban KFD following their involvement in various unlawful activities, he said.