From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 18: Responding to Home Minister Araga Jnanendra’s statement that he has received information from some Congress leaders about alleged irregularities in the Youth Congress President’s elections and will order a probe if a complaint is received, KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar attacked the Home Minister for levelling baseless allegations against Congress leaders by misusing the claims of Bitcoin scam accused Srikrishna.

“Home Minister Araga Jnanendra is a mad person, who is in urgent need of treatment. He must be admitted in the NIMHANS hospital as he is making all kinds of statements,’’ Shivakumar said while speaking to media representatives near his residence in Bengaluru on Thursday.

The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President said the Bitcoin scam episode has reached Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a written complaint has been sent to him alleging that names of some members of the Chief Minister’s family, State BJP President, MPs and other leaders. “Let the Home Minister initiate a suo motu case and investigation based on this letter. He can speak about Congress or Youth Congress later,’’ he said.

When reporters pointed out that Srikrishna or Sriki was in prison and how he could have helped in the rigging of Youth Congress elections, Shivakumar retorted: “That is why I am saying Home Minister is a mad person. He has no common sense. He doesn’t know what he is speaking. He should be first admitted in NIMHANS and treated.’’

To a question on the possibility of Sriki being supplied a computer or laptop to enable him in rigging, the State Congress chief said: “That is precisely what I am saying. Sriki’s father has lodged a complaint before the court saying police have administered drugs to his son while in custody. Sriki has also admitted this in his statement before the court. The court has to order an inquiry into this.’’

Shivakumar mentioned that the court has passed specific order for conducting medical examination of Sriki in the Victoria Hospital. “But the police did not follow the court order and got the medical test done in some other hospital citing Covid pandemic situation. The court has objected to this,’’ he said demanding to know why the medical test outside and who was responsible for that or which minister was involved and who shoulders responsibility for this.

The Home Minister should have ascertained all facts before making childish comments, Shivakumar said.

The KPCC Chief said he was presently busy in the election campaign for the 21 seats in the legislative council and the entire issue of Bitcoin scam was being looked after by other party colleagues.

Earlier in the morning, he held discussions with former ministers A M Hindasgeri, K B Koliwad and KPCC Minority Cell President Abdul Jabbar at his residence.