I-T raids: Taxmen grill DKS, kin on source of their assets

Energy Minister D K Shivakumar and members of his family appeared before Income Tax officials on Monday in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged undisclosed assets case against him.

Shivakumar along with his mother Gowramma, wife Usha and daughter Aishwarya appeared for the questioning in the afternoon. Shivakumar's brother-in-law S Ravi, who is a Congress MLC, and 15 associates of the minister also appeared before the I-T officials.

Shivakumar and members of his family visited the Income Tax office on Infantry Road at around 2.40 pm and returned by 5.10 pm.

Sources said Shivakumar's wife was summoned to appear some time ago. An auditor had appeared on behalf of her.

However, this time the I-T sleuths noticed her to appear in person. Sources said members of the minister's family were questioned on the source of income for the assets in their names.

After emerging out of the I-T office, Shivakumar said he and members of his family have been co-operating with the I-T probe.

"My life is an open book. I am ready for any probe and also ready to undergo punishment if found guilty. I-T officials had summoned my members of my family to take their individual statements. We have answered all their questions.

I-T officials are also conducting the probe in a professional manner. They have maintained confidentiality so far,'' he said.

Meanwhile, I-T officials summoned only Shivakumar to appear on Tuesday. Shivakumar said he had never misused his office at any point in time.

"I am appearing before I-T officials as a law abiding citizen and as a tax payer. I have seen a lot of allegations and probes in my political career. I-T officials have the provision to hand over the case to ED or CBI. It is up to them,'' he said.

I-T sleuths had conducted searches at 60 premises in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kanakapura and Chennai. Searches were conducted on premises linked to Shivakumar, including offices. Searches were conducted at a time when Shivakumar was at Eagleton Resort in Bidadi along with 40 Congress MLAs from Gujarat ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls from that state.