JOIN USThe government has ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe into the lottery racket in the State and the CID will submit its interim report in 10 days, Home Minister K J George said here on Thursday.
A preliminary inquiry by a senior police officer of IG rank has revealed that a police officer of SP rank was involved, the minister said.
Speaking to reporters, George said the probe was ordered on the direction of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, following a sting operation by a TV channel in which a Superintendent of Police was found conversing with a person running illegal lottery business.
George said the SP had been suspended and Rajan, the suspected kingpin of the racket had been arrested. However, George denied that six IPS officers were involved. “The CID will go into all aspects and is likely to submit its interim report in about 10 days”.
Had full powers
The minister said that the officers of the CID had full powers to probe any angle and there would be no interference in the probe. He rubbished allegations made by JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy that Siddaramaiah and himself (George) were involved in the racket.
“If he has proof, let him give it the police. He is a former chief minister, he should speak responsibly,” George said. The minister spiked Kumaraswamy’s demand that the probe be handed over to the CBI, saying that the State police were efficient to handle the issue.