State issues order entrusting lottery scam case to CBI

The State government on Thursday issued an order entrusting the investigation of illegal lottery activities in Karnataka to the Central Bureau of Investigation, since April 1, 2007.

The notification, issued by the Home Department (Crimes), says the government accords sanction to the CBI, under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1964, for investigating the case registered in the Excise Enforcement and Lottery Prohibition with the police station in KGF, Kolar.

The CBI may also inquire and investigate into all types of illegal lottery business/ activities (including online lottery) allegedly being carried out since April 1, 2007 – the date of ban on sale of lottery tickets in Karnataka and the illegal trade of matka/ OC (open-close) in general.

The CBI may also investigate and identify person/s involved in the illegal lottery business/ activities and take further necessary action, the order said.

It has also stated that the department officers/ others concerned shall hand over data/ information/ records as and when required by the CBI and co-operate in the investigation. The status report on the progress of the enquiry/ investigation may be furnished to the State government periodically.

In the preamble, the government has said the lottery sale, including online, was banned on April 1, 2007. A programme was telecast by a local Kannada TV channel regarding the existence of illegal lottery activities in the State. Later, a case was registered in KGF on May 1, 2015. Following a report by the DG&IG, the case was handed over to the CID. Based on the status report of the CID, the DG&IG has submitted a report to the government.

Considering the seriousness and widespread ramifications of the flourishing illegal trade/ activity in the State, it is apprehended that there may be a nexus between various operators within and outside the State. It may be getting the patronage and support of several persons for the continuation of the trade.

The gains of this illegal activity might have paved the way for many to enrich themselves illegally. Hence, the government has decided to hand over the case to the CBI to unearth the truth and to take action against the culprits as per law.

Official sources in the Chief Minister’s Office said the order had been sent to the Department of Personnel and Training of the Union government, which will, in turn, forward it to the CBI with a direction to conduct the probe.

No deadline

Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government had not fixed a deadline for the CBI to complete the investigation. The central investigating agency is free to conduct the probe, he added.

Asked about JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy’s statement that he would give all documents pertaining to the lottery scam to the Governor, he said it was good the JD(S) leader was providing all documents to the Governor. “It is an offence to hide any evidence. What he (Kumaraswamy) is doing is right,” he sarcastically added.

On an accusation by Kumaraswamy that the government was turning a blind eye to corruption, the chief minister claimed that his government was free of corruption and scams. “If anybody has any evidence, let them go to institutions like the Lokayukta,” he said.
DH News Service