Karnataka CM Forms Committee to Probe Scams During BJP Tenure

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has established a five-member committee to accelerate investigations into 21 scams linked to the previous BJP government. The subcommittee aims to submit a detailed report within two months. Siddaramaiah refuted BJP's allegations of vendetta politics, asserting due legal procedures will be followed.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the creation of a five-member ministry committee to expedite actions related to ongoing investigations into scams from the previous BJP administration. The announcement was made during a press conference on Wednesday.

'We have formed a cabinet subcommittee under the chairmanship of Home Minister G Parameshwara, with Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, HK Patil, and Santosh Lad,' stated Siddaramaiah. 'There were 21 scams under the last government; this committee will fast-track the inquiry and suggest actions to the cabinet.'

The committee has a two-month deadline to investigate various issues including PSI recruitment, 40 percent scam allegations, the COVID-19 scam, and Bitcoin-related activities, Siddaramaiah added. Addressing claims of vendetta politics by the BJP, he refuted them by citing adherence to proper legal processes.

Notably, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot recently permitted the prosecution of Siddaramaiah concerning the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. Siddaramaiah has since challenged this decision at the Karnataka High Court. When questioned about the Directorate of Enforcement's (ED) charge sheet in a separate scam, the CM emphasized that the matter should be addressed by the courts.

'I don't want to comment on court issues,' he remarked. 'The ED and the SIT have both conducted investigations and submitted charge sheets. We should let the legal process take its course.'

(With inputs from agencies.)