Govt to hand over lottery case to CBI

The State government on Tuesday decided to hand over the probe into illegal lottery operations since 2007 to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made the announcement after facing heat from the JD(S) which revealed certain details of the single-digit lottery scam and dropped names of police officers who are reportedly involved.
The party had also accused Siddaramaiah and Home Minister K J George of being involved in the scam.

Lottery has been banned in Karnataka since March 2007 but the scope of the CBI investigation can go prior to 2007 and events which led to the ban, said Siddaramaiah.

The scope of the investigation can cover other gambling activities like matka. An official communication to the Centre will be dispatched on Wednesday, said the chief minister.

“The Opposition has been making irresponsible and baseless accusations. We are handing over the case to the CBI to dispel confusion among the people. The people should know who all are involved. But our police officers are capable of handling the case,” said Siddaramaiah.

The chief minister consulted his senior Cabinet colleagues before making the announcement.
At least 11 ministers were present at the hurriedly convened press conference in Vidhana Soudha to show solidarity with Siddaramaiah.

The State government ordered a CID probe into the scam on May 7. The probe agency submitted an interim report on May 22 which mentioned the involvement of certain police officers.

Additional Commissioner of Police (West) Alok Kumar, an IPS officer of the Inspector General of Police rank, has since been suspended for his reported links with the kingpin of the illegal lottery racket, Pari Rajan.

Siddaramaiah said illegal activities like matka and single-digit lottery thrived during the rule of his predecessors and it is continuing even now. Several people have been booked for their involvement, he added.