Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)
Belagavi, Dec 3: Leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Jagadish Shettar, expressed suspicion about the involvement of chief minister, Siddaramaiah, in the scandal in view of the fact that huge amount of recently issued currency notes were found in the possession of senior government officials, Chikkarayappa and Jayachandra, ,who are close to the chief minister, during raid by income tax (IT) department officials.
Speaking to media persons, Shettar demanded detailed investigation against the accused officials and added that those who are involved either directly or indirectly with the wrongdoing should be brought to book. He also demanded the concerned to let the people of the state know which bank had given these notes to the officials.
Tainted officials
Leader of the opposition in the legislative council, K S Eshwarappa, alleged that influential ministers are involved with the money found in the houses of officials. He asked the chief minister to order an investigation..
Responding to the demand, home minister, Dr G Parameshwar, said that law treats everyone equally and the IT department will take legal action against the guilty.
Speaking at Koppal on Friday, chief minister, Siddaramaiah, clarified that the two officials who were raided by IT officials at Bengaluru were not his close confidantes as is being made out. He stressed that those who do wrong things face the consequences. "Who told you that they are close to me? How can government servants become close to us? Never trust rumours. The guilty, whether government officials or contractors, will face suitable action," he added.
He said he had no information about the IT raids and that he has read the reports about them appearing in newspapers.