Shivakumar dares K'taka Govt to refer his case to CBI

Bangalore, Nov 16 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and former Minister D K Shivakumar today dared the Karnataka Government to refer the cases of illegal mining filed against his family members to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for inquiry, instead of ''witch-hunting'' him.

Addressing a press conference here, he alleged that the State forest officials have filed ''false cases'' against his family members at the instance of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy with the sole intention of harassing him and settling political scores. By filing such ''false charges'', the State Government was trying to destroy the Congress in the State, which the rank and file of the party would never allow.

Mr Shivakumar claimed that his family members were running mining, granite and other businesses in accordance with the rule of the land and paying taxes adhering to the rule books.

He said that during the last legislature session, Forests Minister C Chennigappa had informed that the officials had unearthed large scale illegal mining in Bellary district, evading thousands of crores of revenue to the State exchequer. In the last ten months, the Chief Minister had not initiated any action against any company based on the statement. Besides, BSK trading company, run by the family members of Mr Kumaraswamy, had purchased five lakh tonnes of iron ore from State-owned Mysore Minerals Limited, quoting below market value, and exported it at an exorbitant price. The State had suffered a loss of Rs 200 per tonne in this deal, he claimed.

Senior Congress leaders Rameshkumar and V S Ugrappa, who were also present, said the State Government's move to file ''false charges'' against the family members of Mr Shivakumar was a party issue and they would fight it.

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