BJP, JD(S) slam Congress govt’s cabinet decision, say it’s aimed at protecting Shivakumar

BENGALURU, Nov 24: The opposition BJP and JD(S) on Friday slammed the Karnataka cabinet’s move to withdraw consent for a CBI investigation against Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in a disproportionate assets case, terming the decision illegal.
They accused the government of going against the law and taking an “immoral” decision aimed at protecting Shivakumar.
They indicated that the issue would be raised, both inside and outside the legislative assembly, to attack the Siddaramaiah administration.
The cabinet on Thursday deemed the previous BJP government’s move to give consent to the CBI to investigate the DA case against Shivakumar as not being in accordance with law, and decided to withdraw the sanction.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleged that senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa — as CM during the previous regime — had given consent to the CBI probe “illegally” even before the Advocate General gave his opinion.
Yediyurappa responsed saying that the Enforcement Directorate, which had conducted investigation, had written to the government stating that Shivakumar has violated the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act and had shared information with the CBI, requesting the government to take suitable action.
“The then government obtained the opinion of the AG, who indicated by way of opinion that sanction at that stage was not required. However, consent to an investigation by CBI may be given by the government at its discretion; accordingly the state government granted permission to the CBI to investigate,” Yediyurappam said.
He also pointed out that the grant of permission has been upheld by the Karnataka High Court — and once the investigation is initiated, no authority can withdraw it.
Terming the current government’s decision to withdraw the sanction given to the CBI as “without jurisdiction and illegal”, Yediyurappa further said that CM Siddaramaiah has committed an an “unpardonable mistake” and has “betrayed the people” by taking such a decision aimed at protecting Shivakumar. (PTI)