PSI scam: Opposition trying to mislead probe, says HM

Kalaburagi: Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Friday said the opposition is desperately trying to mislead the investigation into the police sub-inspector recruitment scam with their statements as “their involvement is coming to the fore”.

He was replying to a query on Congress leader Siddaramaiah’s allegation at a press conference on Thursday that the size of the scam was around Rs 300 crore.

“Former chief minister Siddaramaiah has got the freedom of speech. He can say Rs 200 crore, Rs 300 crore or Rs 3,000 crore but he runs away when we ask him to furnish the proof he has. Priyank Kharge (Congress MLA) doesn’t come even after a notice was served to him (to appear before the CID),” Jnanendra told reporters here.

The Congress stalwart had also demanded a judicial probe saying that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was not competent to investigate the matter given the alleged involvement of police officers, ministers and top politicians in the scam.

Jnanendra charged that the Congress leaders were only trying to mislead the investigation.

“In the given circumstances, the only thing they know is to mislead the direction of the investigation. It’s nothing but some Congress leaders who are trapped. Their involvement is coming to fore, due to which they are giving such statements,” the Home Minister said. He charged that Congress leaders have also resorted to defaming “our upright (Higher Education) minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan”.

The Home Minister said the government was ensuring the investigation is done independently without any influence.

“Let Congress leaders talk whatever they want. We will get it investigated properly. We will go to the root cause of the issue.

We will make sure that those involved in the wrongdoings in the PSI recruitment scam should think twice before indulging in such practices in future,” Jnanendra said.

Congress’ Karnataka unit chief D K Shivakumar had earlier this week suspected the involvement of Dr Ashwath Narayan’s relative in the scam, which the latter rubbished saying these were baseless allegations as part of a smear campaign against him.