Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Jun 21: "I know why income tax (I-T) officials are after me. If there was no case against me in the court, I would have shown to them what I could do. I will speak at an opportune time. I will face all these kinds of harassment through legal means," said state minister for water resources, D K Shivakumar.
Speaking to media persons after information that I-T department had filed another case against him, a visibly angry Shivakumar said that he already has been facing lot of harassment from these officials. "My relatives and close ones are also being hounded and harassed. Why am I alone being chased? Are we not aware about maintenance of diary accounts at houses by others? Why raids are not being conducted on them?" he wanted to know.
The minister stated that he has not yet received any summons from the I-T department, but the notice to appear for hearing has been received by him and his family members. "I am not bothered about what people think of me and also what media will do. Law is final and I know how to fight these cases legally," he asserted. Shivakumar said that judicial system in the country is fully capable and he has high respect towards law and constitution. He added that he abides by law and he will provide all details in the court.
As soon as he came to know about I-T had served notice to Shivakumar, chief minister, Kumaraswamy, who was on his way to Vidhana Soudha from his residence, went to the residence of his father and former Prime Minister, Deve Gowda, and discussed with him about the impact this development could have on the government. Minister, H D Revanna, was also present.
As per information, this case pertains to recovery of unaccounted cash of Rs 12.44 lac from the residence of Karnataka Bhavana New Delhi's public relations officer, Anjaneya, during a raid. Anjaneya reportedly told the I-T officials that this cash belonged to Shivakumar. The I-T officials had filed complaint in the court on Tuesday and the court, which ordered for issuance of summons, has sought personal appearance of parties concerned in August.
The above raid was conducted simultaneously with the raids conducted on Shivakumar in the city and elsewhere. In this respect, during investigation, people like Rajendra, Sunil Sharma and Anjaneya had given contradicting statements. In a letter written to I-T department recently after seven months, these accused have claimed that they had given their statements under circumstances of apprehension. Rajendra, it is is learnt, clarified that the codeword, kg referred in the diary denotes lac.
Chief minister, Kumaraswamy, said that the government will extend legally permissible assistance to Shivakumar. Speaking to media persons after discussing the issue with Deve Gowda, he said that the government will back Shivakumar as per law. He also advised I-T department to discharge duties without bending under pressure.
Urban development minister, U T Khader, felt that in spite of which party is in power, politics of vengeance should never be pursued. He pointed out that some people have been accusing Shivakumar of indulging in Hawala transactions. He said BJP has been doing everything within it command to destabilize the government but those forming the coalition government do not get intimidated by such tactics.