Bengaluru: State Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D.K. Shivakumar, has been issued a notice by the State Lokayukta on Wednesday concerning a disproportionate assets (DA) case, according to confirmed sources.
Shivakumar has been instructed to furnish all relevant documents in his defense regarding the case.
This development is perceived as a setback for Shivakumar, who is currently engaged in strategizing and overseeing election campaigns for the Congress party, where he is actively involved alongside Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
In a controversial move, the Congress government rescinded the permission granted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the matter. Initially, the case was transferred to the CBI during the tenure of the former BJP government led by ex-Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. Subsequently, the Congress government reassigned the case to the Lokayukta on November 23, 2023.
The CBI contested the Karnataka government’s decision in court, asserting that it was on the verge of filing a charge sheet against Shivakumar.
Recently, the Supreme Court dismissed a case pursued by the Enforcement Directorate against Shivakumar.
Shivakumar has alleged continued harassment by central investigative agencies despite the quashing of the DA case and the withdrawal of permission for the CBI probe, claiming that notices have been served to him, his family, and business associates.
According to the CBI, Shivakumar’s family assets, which amounted to Rs 33 crore in 2013, surged to Rs 166.79 crore by 2018. Preliminary investigations indicated a 44.93% increase in assets disproportionate to known sources of income, as per sources familiar with the matter.
