JD(S) to petition EC against suspended BJP MLC

Bangalore, Jun 25 (UNI) In an offensive against suspended BJP legislator Mr Janardhana Reddy, who had chargeed Chief Minister of allegedly having received Rs 150 crore as 'bribe' from mining opertors, the JD(S) in retailation has alleged that Mr Reddy had concealed large sum of assets and income in the affidavit filed to the Election Commission.

Speaking to newspersons here, JD(S) General Secretary Y S V Datta accused Mr Reddy, a well known mine owner, of amassing huge wealth by illegal ways and means by 'looting' the wealth of the state.

Listing the Income Tax returns, finanial statements and balance sheets of more than two dozen companies, allegedly owned by the legislator and the assets and income declared in his affidavit filed with the EC before his election to the upper house, he said, "Mr Reddy has conceled hundreds of crores of rupees of his assets and income. He had supressed these information while filing the affidavit. He has breached laws under Section 176 of the IPC and and Section 220 of Karntaka Lok Ayukta Act. Such violations attracts stringent action and a punishment to the extent of seven years of imprisonment," he said.

The three-volume document would be submitted to the Election Commission within two days and the party would also petition Lok Ayukta Justice Santosh Hegde requesting stringent action against the legislator, he said.

Reacting to the charges, Mr Reddy rejected the ruling party's contentions and challenged the State government to order a CBI inquiry into the allegation made by the party, as well as the allegations he had made against the Chief Minister and other members of the JD(S).

"They (JD-S) have produced documents which I have submitted to the RBI and Income Tax authorities. This is nothing but a conspiracy to defame me. All these accusations are false. I have not breached any law and will face a CBI probe. Let the CBI also probe into my allegations against Mr Kumaraswamy and his family," he challenged.

The suspended BJP legislator had earlier accused Chief Minister of accepting Rs 150 crore 'bribe' from the mining 'mafia'. He had also had released a 'CD' 'substantiating' corruption charges aginast the Chief Minister and his family.

UNI