Congress Leader Shivakumar Suspects BJP Conspiracy as CBI Issues Notice

Bengaluru: Regarding sleuths of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) serving notice to him, Deputy Chief Minister and president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) D.K. Shivakumar on Monday termed that he did not understand the motive of slapping a notice on him by the CBI and suspected a conspiracy being hatched by the leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with an aim to end his political career. But, stated that he is aware of leaders behind hatching a conspiracy against him and asserted to continue his legal fight.

He told reporters in Bengaluru city that CBI has served notices on him and also on Managing Director of Jaihind TV of Kerala that “At the outset it looks that the notices have been served to cause problems for me and my party.”

Shivakumar said “Let them do anything they wish to do. In the past, BJP leaders have said to put me behind bars.” Adding, he claimed he hasn’t done anything wrong to be punished and exuded confidence that he would get justice.

Asked whether notice served on him keeping in mind the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, Shivakumar stated that he has been targetted (by BJP) over the Rajya Sabha election contested by Congress leader Ahmed Patel which he won against the BJP nominee. Continuing, he said, though Ahmed Patel is no longer with us, I continue to suffer harassment (for striving for his success in the Rajya Sabha poll).

He pointed out that the State Government had withdrawn permission accorded to the CBI sleuths against me in a disproportionate assets case and said that he was clueless on what ground they have served notice on me. The case is now handed over to the Lokayukta for investigation.

“CBI is in possession of my documents and as per rules, once the case is transferred all documents have to be handed over to the Lokayutha,” he said and stated that he had handed over all documents to CBI but CBI probe against me did not even complete about 10 percent mark. Yet, the CBI made a claim before the Court that it had completed about 90 percent of the probe against me. “If they wish to put me behind bars then they can. I'll stay calm,” said the Dy CM.