From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Mysuru, May 10: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has categorically ruled out CBI probe into the Hassan sex videos and pen drives scandal involving JDS MP Prajwal Revanna and asserted that the Congress government has ‘full faith and confidence’ in Karnataka’s police officers.

Speaking to media persons in Mysuru on Friday, the Chief Minister reminded the BJP leaders of their own criticism of CBI as ‘Corruption Bureau of Investigation’ while JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda had termed it as ‘Chor Bachavo Institution’.

“There is no question of accepting JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy’s demand for CBI probe into the sex videos and pen drives containing explicit content of rapes and abuses of women by his own nephew and Hassan JDS MP Prajwal Revanna,” he said making it clear that he is fully satisfied that the State police will act strictly in accordance with the law and carry out the investigation.

Siddaramaiah challenged the BJP leaders and Kumaraswamy to prove if they had referred any case to CBI when they were in power in the State.

“The D K Ravi suicide case, lottery scam and the charges against Congress leader K J George had been referred to CBI when Congress was in power in the State,” he said pointing out that the BJP was insisting on CBI probe at the time.

He challenged the BJP and JDS leaders to point out if anybody had been punished in all the cases referred to CBI under their pressure.

The Chief Minister declared that the State Government will never interfere in the investigations conducted in accordance with the law.

“I have full faith and confidence in the abilities of our own police officers. I have never asked them to act in violation of the law,” he said and pointed out that there was no need for insisting on investigations by CBI or any other international agency.

He asserted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the government is performing its duties ‘strictly in accordance with the law in a fair and impartial manner’ and ‘neither myself nor D K Shivkumar have interfered in the investigation’.

Declaring that he is fully confident of unearthing the truth in the Hassan sex scandal involving rapes and abuses of many women by Hassan JDS MP Prajwal Revanna, he also clarified that there was ‘absolutely no political interference’ in the arrest of Prajwal Revanna’s father and Deve Gowda’s elder son, H D Revanna, JDS MLA from Holenarasipur.

“If there is no truth in the case against H D Revanna as claimed by the JDS leaders, why did he seek anticipatory bail from the court and why was the petition rejected by the court,” he asked.

Morarji Desai school student Ankita lauded

The Chief Minister congratulated the student of Morarji Desai Residential School in Mysuru, Ankita Basappa Konnur, on her achievement of securing the first rank in the SSLC examination in the State.

Siddaramaiah said more and more students studying in Morarji Desai Residential Schools and government schools must study well and secure ranks.

Warmly appreciating the achievement of Ankita, Siddaramaiah pointed out that the government had established Morarji Desai Residential Schools to help the students from rural areas to excel in studies. The programme was started in 1984 by him as the Finance Minister and the government has since established more than 800 Morarji Desai Residential Schools in each hobli in the State.

He said he had set a target of Mysuru district securing the 5th rank in the State and felt he was happy that the district has secured the 7th rank. “I hope and wish the district performs even better and comes with the first five rank winners in the State,” he said.

CM participates in Basava Jayanti

The Chief Minister later participated in the Basava Jayanti celebrations in Mysuru by garlanding the statue of Basaveshwara in Mysuru city in the presence of Suttur Math pontiff Shivarathi Deshikendra Swamiji, Social Welfare Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa and other Congress leaders.

He said he is unable to participate in official programmes as the Model Code of Conduct is still in force in the State even though the Lok Sabha elections are over in Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah said the Congress government follows the principles and teachings of Basavanna, who has been declared as the Cultural Icon of Karnataka.