From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jun 24: Rattled by the combined attacks from former BJP Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who is presently the national vice president of the party, and former JD(S) Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who is the State party chief, on the filing of first information reports (FIRs) in connection with the alleged land denotifications against the Lingayat strongman, Karnataka's Home Minister K J George has clarified that there was no vindictive politics.
The CID, which investigated the complaints regarding the land denotifications against Yeddyurappa, has submitted its report to the Karnataka Lokayukta and the Lokayukta police have filed the FIRs, the minister explained.
George made it clear that the State Government or the Home Department has nothing to do with the case or the filing of FIRs. ''We are not interfering in the case," he declared.
The FIRs are a result of the complaint by RTI activist JayakumarHiremath before the Lokayukta in 2012, which is based on CAG report on denotification of land by the then BJP Government headed by Yeddyurappa and allotment of sites by the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA).
Both Yeddyurappa or Kumaraswamy, being former chief ministers, must be fully aware of the system on how Lokayukta works and that whether the State Government can interfere in the complaints filed before the State Lokayukta, George said.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Jagadish Shettar supported Kumaraswamy’s charge that the State Government has been trying to corner Yeddyurappa by filing FIRs against him.
''As Jagadish Shettar is also a former Chief Minister, he should know how things work. There is no point in making baseless allegations," the Home Minister contended.
Rise in gold prices may have given spurt to chain snatching
Cornered by reporters on the spate of chain snatching incidents in the last few days, the Home Minister said the sharp increase in the prices of gold may have been a major factor behind the series of chain snatching incidents as culprits may have been encouraged to make a quick buck.
He said prices of gold touched Rs 27,000 per 10 grams and this must have led given a sudden spurt to the chain snatching incidents.
Besides local gangs, gangs from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh come to the City in morning trains and indulge in chain snatching cases, he said pointing out that the police have been trying their best crack the cases and nab the culprits.
The police have stepped up vigilance at crowded places across the City to nab the culprits indulged in chain snatching, he said.
At the same time, George said the people wearing gold chains should also be extra careful while walking and travelling in buses.
"We are doing our best and strengthening the police patrolling system. But people should also understand that the police cannot do everything or be everywhere to catch the culprits. The public should also cooperate and avoid being robbed by the chain snatchers," he added.