Karnataka lottery scam: CBI not likely to probe case

Karnataka, July 14: The CBI may not probe the Karnataka lottery scam. The decision not to probe was taken as no substantial element had been found.

The Karnataka government had handed over the probe to the CBI following pressure from the opposition.

The CBI which conducts a preliminary round of investigation before it takes over any probe has found nothing concrete in the lottery scam, prima facie to link police officers with the masterminds of the lottery scam.

Probe by state police:

The lottery scam which created a hue and cry was even debated in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Although the state police had commenced a probe into the issue, the opposition demanded that the same be handed over to the CBI.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka after taking a decision announced at a press conference that the probe is being handed over to the CBI. The CBI however conducted a preliminary investigation into the matter and has indicated that it will not probe the case.

Further sources informed that the CBI has also found no direct link between the lottery scam masterminds and senior police officer, Alok Kumar in this case. Alok Kumar was placed under suspension pending investigation after some channels had exposed an alleged link between him and the lottery mastermind, Pari Rajan.

Alok Kumar had however made it clear that he knew who Rajan was but also added that there was no dealing between the two. All I had said was deal with him in accordance with the law, the senior police officer Alok Kumar had also said.

The lottery scam:

The lottery scam was exposed by a television channel. It was stated that lottery continued to thrive in the state of Karnataka despite there being a ban in place. It also exposed the manner in which the entire scam was being carried out. Further it was also stated that this scam is not restricted to Karnataka alone.

The scam was spread across to the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The opposition in Karnataka had alleged that there was a politician nexus in this scam and since it had inter-state ramifications, it needed to be probed by the CBI.

The CBI has the power to either take up an investigation or reject it. When the West Bengal nun rape case was handed over to the CBI, the agency had rejected it stating that the state police is capable of doing the job.

OneIndia News