Karnataka Lokayukta corruption case: Where has the extorted money gone?

BENGALURU: Where has the money that the accused involved in the Lokayukta corruption case extorted from public servants gone? When the Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials probing the case tried to find out an answer to this, they were not surprised to know that all the accused led a lavish life spending money on flight tickets, accommodation in five star hotels, etc.

Sources in the SIT revealed that the accused, who had extorted huge sums of money from government officials, led a king-size life. “Each one in the case made a lot of money. Mostly, they have spent it on trips, flight tickets and accommodation in star hotels. Hotte Krishna tops the chart as he has made several international trips. As we pulled his travel details, it was revealed that he has gone to Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Thailand and other countries. He stayed only in five star hotels,” an official said.

Interestingly, SIT officials are not sure whether Hotte Krishna is involved in the case filed by Executive Engineer M.N. Krishnamurthy. “There is no doubt he was earlier involved in the extortion racket. But, as per our investigation, he had left the gang some months ago as he had differences with its members. We are still thinking whether he should be arrested or not,” the official said.

Further, the other accused, M.B. Srinivasa Gowda, has reportedly invested money in agricultural land and other properties in the city. “He has also invested money in a food chain. However, the extent of money he made through extortion is yet to be finalised. Even the other accused, Shankare Gowda and Ashok Kumar, led a luxurious life.” the official said. The officials are yet to ascertain where the remaining money has gone.

“Their bank accounts have been checked and there is no trace of transactions of extortion money. We are suspecting that they have kept the money with some of their close friends and we are yet to come to a conclusion on that,” the official said.

SIT visits Kolar: SIT officials took accused Srinivasa Gowda to his hometown in Kolar and searched his house there. “We did not get any important document there. But we have seized some documents related to land. They have to be verified," an official said.

Doreswamy demands Ashwin’s arrest

Freedom fighter and anti-corruption crusader H.S. Doreswamy, convener of the Anti-Land-grabbing Action Committee A.T. Ramaswamy, and other activists met ADGP Kamal Pant, head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Lokayukta corruption case, and urged him to take steps to arrest the main accused, Ashwin Y, at the earliest.

They met Mr. Pant at the SIT office on the premises of the CID on Saturday morning and sought details regarding the investigation of the case. Mr. Pant reportedly assured them that the investigation was on the right track and all the accused in the case would be brought to book.

Mr. Doreswamy said that they were convinced that the SIT would probe the case impartially. “When we asked Mr. Pant why Ashwin was not yet arrested, he told us that they need to follow some procedures and gather adequate evidence. Then only they will arrest Ashwin. However, he expressed his displeasure stating that people spoke about the case but none came forward to give information or evidence to help the SIT take actions without any delay. “I request the public to help SIT by giving whatever information or evidence they have,” he said.

SPS to move HC for CBI probe against SIT officers

Samaj Parivatana Samudaya (SPS), which has filed a petition in the High Court seeking a CBI investigation into the Lokayukta corruption case, has said that it will also file an application urging the HC to direct the CBI to examine the criminal conspiracy hatched by the three top officials of SIT probing the case.

Conspiracy

“Within the next few days, our counsel Mr. K.V. Dhananjay will file an application urging the High Court to direct the CBI to examine the criminal conspiracy hatched by ADGP Kamal Pant, DCP Labhu Ram and DIG Soumendu Mukherjee to shield the main accused in the case, Ashwin Y, through unlawful methods,” a press release by the SPS stated.

Expressing anguish at the SIT for “doing nothing to address” the FIR against Ashwin, the organisation said even after more than three weeks, it is still not aware of even an ordinary communication or contact established by the SIT with Ashwin. “This is an extreme form of miscarriage of justice, and misdirection of a criminal investigation,” the SPS  said.

Volte-face

“The recent volte-face by the complainant, Krishnamurthy M.N., could be an outcome of the rigorous enquiry running into several hours. It is most unfortunate that evidence and witnesses are allowed to be tampered by the delaying tactics by SIT probably with the direction from their ‘unseen’ bosses,” the SPS alleged.