Union minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday gave the Karnataka government five days to show progress in the investigation into a controversial sting operation, while alleging that chief minister DK Shivakumar was behind a ₹ 600-crore plot to “politically eliminate” the family of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda.
“It is none other than the incumbent Chief Minister who ordered that our family be finished off. This Chief Minister has hatched several conspiracies to finish off our family. There is no doubt whatsoever that he has committed this act. The controversy surrounding the sting operation gained traction recently after Shivakumar alleged that attempts had been made to trap him after he became chief minister. He also cautioned his cabinet colleagues to remain alert. Days later, former chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah filed a police complaint over a defamatory social media post and sought an injunction restraining the media from airing or publishing anything related to it. Kumaraswamy claimed that Siddaramaiah himself had doubts about the investigation. He alleged that an individual and a woman functionary of the Congress had carried out the sting operation. “Shouldn’t the actual culprits be caught for the injustice done to the former Chief Minister? “I am not saying this to intimidate anyone.
One among them is the ₹ 600-crore supari (contract killing) deal.
There is absolutely no doubt,” Kumaraswamy said. Instead of tracing the source, they are sitting here targeting the foot soldiers,” he said. The Union minister said a person allegedly involved in the sting operation had secured anticipatory bail and questioned whether the police had made any effort to oppose it. I am only asking for an honest investigation,” he said.
