Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 26: The Karnataka Lokayukta has submitted a request to Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot seeking his consent to prosecute Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, in connection with a mining lease case dating back to 2007.
The allegations suggest that Kumaraswamy, during his tenure as Chief Minister from 2006 to 2008, illegally approved a 550-acre mining lease to Sri Sai Venkateswara Minerals in Sandur taluk, Ballari district, in violation of the law, which led to substantial illegal mining activities.
Sources confirmed on Wednesday that the Lokayukta’s investigative team has submitted an updated request to the Governor for prosecution in the matter.
The case revolves around allegations that Kumaraswamy improperly granted the mining lease in violation of legal procedures, with concerns raised over the resulting illegal mining. The Lokayukta concluded its investigation and filed a charge sheet in the case, having previously made a submission to the Governor in November seeking approval for prosecution. However, the Governor requested the translation of over 5,000 pages of the report from Kannada to English before granting his consent, which has now been completed and resubmitted.
Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, reacted to the development in Hubballi on Wednesday, accusing Congress leaders in Karnataka of pursuing a "politics of hatred." He said, “The Congress leaders went to the residence of Union Minister Kumaraswamy and made him the CM earlier. Now, they are filing the case. In former CM B.S. Yediyurappa’s case also, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, on record, stated that the POCSO case should not have been filed against him."
Joshi added, “Later, when the MUDA charges came up, the state government expedited the probe of the POCSO case against him,” highlighting what he saw as political manipulation in these cases.
On the other hand, Minister for RDPR, IT and BT, Priyank Kharge, commented in Bengaluru, stating that the Supreme Court had refused to issue a stay on the case against Kumaraswamy, underlining the need for further investigation. “The court has clearly stated that Kumaraswamy has misused the officers while being in power. What is the stand of the BJP now?” Kharge questioned, pointing to the legal developments surrounding the case.
The allegations suggest that Kumaraswamy, during his tenure as Chief Minister, misused his position to allot land to Sri Sai Venkateswara Minerals in violation of established guidelines and against the advice of the Chief Secretary. Kumaraswamy has previously denied these claims, clarifying that he did not personally sign the file related to the company, which has been at the centre of the investigation.
The charges stem from a 2011 investigation report by former Lokayukta Justice N. Santhish Hegde. Kumaraswamy was arrested in 2015 and subsequently released on bail. The case revolves around alleged violations of the Minerals Concession Rules, with concerns raised about the legality of the mining lease issued to the company.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also weighed in on the matter, criticising the Governor for the delay in granting approval for prosecution. He accused the Governor of showing bias in providing consent for the prosecution, adding that the prolonged delay was detrimental to the case’s progress.
The controversy surrounding the case continues to generate significant political debate, with accusations of political influence and misconduct flying from both sides.