Ramesh Jarkiholi scandal: SIT probe is of no use, says JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) authorities might claim the CD is fake and nothing more can be expected, he said

Former chief minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday raised suspicions over a thorough probe in connection with a CD case allegedly involving former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and said the investigation is of no use.

Speaking to reporters here, Kumaraswamy said the state government has handed over the CD case to Special Investigation Team (SIT). “Against whom and on what basis the investigation will be conducted,” he questioned, adding, “I don’t know on what basis the probe was ordered.”

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) authorities might claim the CD is fake and nothing more can be expected. Several such cases, including former minister H Y Meti’s case, received a clean chit. No accused were punished in such cases, Kumaraswamy said.

Ministers flayed

Kumaraswamy slammed six ministers for seeking an injunction against newspapers and TV channels from publishing anything defamatory against them.

“When the ministers are not capable of protecting themselves, how they will protect the people of the state? We would have accepted if they had sought an injunction against publishing or telecasting any matter against them but, they have sought an injunction against publishing reports of CD related to them,” Kumaraswamy said.

The six ministers are Labour Minister Shivaram Hebbar, Agriculture Minister B C Patil, Cooperation Minister S T Somashekar, Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar, Municipal Administration Minister K C Narayan Gowda and Urban Development Minister Byrathi Basavaraj.

The six ministers are among the 17 MLAs who joined BJP from JD(S) and Congress which resulted in the fall of the previous JD(S)-Congress coalition government.