CM Defends No To CBI Investigation Against His Deputy

Bengaluru: Regarding the Cabinet decision to withdraw sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over a disproportionate assets case, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday termed the sanction given to the CBI for investigation against his Deputy D.K. Shivakumar by the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government in Karnataka was not in accordance with the law.

“The previous State Government sanctioned it illegally,” remarked the Chief Minister while speaking to reporters after inauguration of Safe City Command Centre building and hence the decision was taken to withdraw the sanction for investigation against Shivakumar.

He said the permission of the State Government is needed for any investigation against a government servant and D.K. Shivakumar was an MLA in 2019 when sanction was given by the BJP government.

Continuing, he said, the investigation against Shivakumar should have been legally sanctioned by the Assembly Speaker and the opinion of the Advocate General should also be considered. The then Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa did not consider these aspects and gave oral instructions to the Chief Secretary.

Based on Yeddyurappa’s oral instructions, the Chief Minister said the then Chief Secretary handed over the case to CBI for investigation and the move was unlawful.