Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Apr 2: Former deputy superintendent of police, Anupama Shenoy, who had earlier written to Prime Minister(PM), Narendra Modi, on the issue, and an advocate named Nataraj Sharma, have filed applications in the state high court. They have sought directions of the high court to the central and state governments, ordering to hold Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) probe into the costly Hublot wrist watch purportedly presented to the chief minister by a doctor named Girish Chandra Varma.
In two separate applications, the two have sought investigation into the said gift presented by Dubai-based doctor, Dr Girish Chandra Varma. Advocate, Nataraj Sharma had earlier complained to Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) on the subject. Sharma has now sough details of the investigation conducted by ACB so far.
In all likelihood, both these applications will be tabled for consideration during next week.
Advocate for the petitioner, N P Amritesh, said that Dubai-based entrepreneur, B R Shetty, had presented this watch to the chief minister in return for favours received by way of permission for operating Haji Abdulla Hospital Udupi on contract basis and for a tourism attraction plan as per which Jog Falls is proposed to be allowed to run all 365 days of the year. He said that they have enough evidences and documentary proof to prove this allegation.
Amritesh said that when Anupama Shenoy complained to the office of the Prime Minister, the office had enquired whether Shenoy vouches for the truthfulness of her complaint and whether there is truth in the allegation. After Shenoy provided supplementary documents, there was no response from that office. Therefore, the court has been approached with request for directions for CBI investigation, he clarified.
"We have named chief minister, Siddaramiaah, ministers, R V Deshpande, Pramod Madhwaraj, Ramesh Kumar, B R Shetty and others as defendants in the case," he added. He clarified that the ACB, which claims that the complaint filed by Nataraj Sharma has been closed, has not been providing any details or copy of the certificate provided by Girish Chandra Varma. Therefore he said, he has approached the court seeking details of the investigation conducted into the episode.