BJP Attacks Karnataka Govt as ACB Allegedly Targets IT Department

Team Udayavani, Oct 5, 2017, 2:07 PM IST

Bengaluru: Karnataka state BJP unit has alleged on Thursday that Siddaramaiah led state government has misused Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) and used as a political weapon to suppress its rivals, reports said.

The statements from state BJP president BS Yeddyurappa and senior party leader Jagadish Shettar came in the wake of a letter from BR Balakrishnan, Director General of Investigation (Karnataka and Goa) to Karnataka State Director General Police RK Dutta. In the letter, BR Balakrishnan expressed his dissatisfaction on a proposed raid by ACB on IT officials in Karnataka as revenge to recent IT raid on state congress leaders, ministers and others.

Balakrishnan reportedly wrote to DGP following information from central intelligence bureau which warned the IT head on a possibility for a raid on IT officials in the state. IT DG expressed his anger in his letter and said, ACB doesn’t has power to take action against IT officers if there is any issue. The state government or any authority can approach senior IT officers or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) if any irregularities found by them.

Speaking on the letter  from IT department, Karnataka State Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, state government hasn’t yet misused ACB instead BJP led union government has used IT department as a tool to suppress its rivals. Meanwhile, Karnataka State Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs TB Jayachandra said, ACB can take necessary action under its jurisdiction against anyone and Karnataka state government hasn’t yet misused ACB for any purpose.