The Union Minister claimed that Chandra Sekhar was under the protection of the Congress government in the state and was being used as a pawn in politically motivated investigations. He also stated that he would soon file a complaint against Chandra Sekhar before the Union Home Ministry.
Published Sep 29, 2024 | 12:01 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 29, 2024 | 4:00 PM
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy levelled serious allegations ADGP M Chandra Sekhar on Saturday. (Supplied)
Union Minister and JD(S) Karnataka President HD Kumaraswamy and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Chandra Sekhar have been engaged in a war of words since Friday, 27 September, over the former’s corruption allegation against the latter.
Kumaraswamy alleged that the ADGP, who heads a Lokayukta Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the state’s Internal Security Division (ISD), is engaged in extortion, fabricating evidence, and leaking confidential documents from the Governor’s office.
The Union Minister claimed that Chandra Sekhar was under the protection of the Congress government in the state and was being used as a pawn in politically motivated investigations. He also stated that he would soon file a complaint against Chandra Sekhar before the Union Home Ministry.
Following the allegations, Chandra Sekhar, unyielding in his defence, asserted that Kumaraswamy’s accusations were intended to intimidate and undermine the integrity of the SIT.
Kumaraswamy levelled these allegations when he turned up at the Karnataka Lokayukta headquarters on 27 September for an inquiry on the denotification of 1.1 acres of land at Gangenahalli in Bengaluru.
He accused the ADGP of corruption and involvement in multiple criminal activities and claimed the officer leaked a confidential letter from the Governor’s office and fabricated evidence to justify probing the Governor’s staff.
The minister also accused Chandra Sekhar of extortion, falsifying documents to secure the Karnataka cadre, and illegally constructing a 38-storey building on encroached land.
Kumaraswamy expressed his intent to file a formal complaint with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, further criticising the state government for its alleged involvement in shielding corrupt officials.
Later, in a press conference, Kumaraswamy told reporters: “A corrupt IPS officer involved in multiple criminal offences has requested permission to investigate the staff in the Governor’s office. This officer enjoys the support of the state Congress government.”
“The officer in question, Lokayukta SIT’s ADGP M Chandra Sekhar, is the corrupt officer, and the state government is conducting investigations through such rogue officials,” alleged the Union minister.
“No investigation under Siddaramaiah’s government is transparent. Investigations are being conducted for political revenge, and they are using tainted officers like Chandra Sekhar for this purpose. A complaint against this officer will be submitted to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs,” the Union Minister stated that he would soon file a complaint against Chandra Sekhar.
In another allegation, Kumaraswamy charged ADGP Chandra Sekhar with leaking a confidential letter about his case to the media.
“A highly confidential letter written by the Governor to the Lokayukta regarding my case was leaked. It was leaked to a private news channel that has been personally tarnishing the image of our family for many months. This letter was leaked by Chandra Sekhar,” Kumaraswamy claimed.
“However, the same officer cooked up a story that the letter was leaked from the Governor’s office itself and has written a letter to the higher police officers of the SIT, seeking permission to investigate the staff of the Governor’s office.”
“This officer has shown the audacity to seek permission to investigate the office of the Governor, who functions as the representative of the Constitution and the President. The officer is awaiting appropriate punishment,” charged the Union Minister.
Continuing his tirade against SIT’s ADGP, Kumaraswamy said: “Already, Chandra Sekhar, who has been caught for multiple crimes, is being enticed by the state government to commit such illegal acts. He has been promised the position of Bengaluru Police Commissioner.”
“This government promised this to multiple people; they have promised the same position to many senior officers including BK Singh, M Chandra Sekhar, and the head of the intelligence wing. I don’t trust that the investigations by such a government will be transparent,” said the Union Minister.
“Chandra Sekhar has shown arrogance by seeking permission to investigate the Governor’s office regarding the letter leak. If Chandra Sekhar is asking to search the Governor’s office, how much arrogance must this officer have? When I looked into the background of this “super cop” who wants to search the Governor’s office, I found out everything about him,” added Kumaraswamy.
The Union minister further claimed that the officer furnished fake documents to get Karnataka cadre, encroached lake to build a 38-storey building and was involved in extortion.
Accusing the officer of furnishing fake documents, Kumaraswamy said: “Chandra Sekhar is an IPS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre. He was selected as a Himachal Pradesh cadre officer in 1998. He came to Karnataka on deputation for five years.”
“He created false records stating that the climate in Himachal Pradesh was not suitable for him and continued to stay in Karnataka. This officer, who came on deputation, later became a Karnataka cadre officer. What illegal activities did he engage in? Who all supported him?” the Union Minister said and added that he would not disclose it (evidence), citing the sensitivity of the matter.
“Several complaints and charge sheets have been filed against Chandra Sekhar. This person is an officer who has committed a series of crimes. He demanded ₹20 crore in connection with a land transaction through a subordinate officer. An inspector has filed a complaint about this,” claimed the Union Minister.
“Chandra Sekhar is constructing a 38-story commercial building in his wife’s name. It is being built over a rajakaluve (stormwater drain) and even encroaches on a lake. This needs to be investigated. How will the state be saved if it retains such officers? How many crores has IPS officer Chandra Sekhar extorted by intimidating his subordinate officers and builders illegally?” Kumaraswamy said.
Stating that he had sufficient documents to prove the said officer was corrupt, Kumaraswamy said: “I have documents related to his dealings. There was a person named Vijay Tata, who ran a media organisation in the state. He was also involved in extortion rackets.”
“Around 2,000 chargesheets have been filed against him. Chandra Sekhar, in collusion with such a person, has been extorting money by intimidating people,” alleged the Union Minister.
Meanwhile, quoting George Bernard Shaw in response to Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s corruption allegations, Chandra Sekhar said: “Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.”
In a pointed rebuttal, Chandra Sekhar accused Kumaraswamy of using false and malicious claims to intimidate the Lokayukta SIT, which he heads.
The ADGP, who has been overseeing the alleged denotification of 1.1 acres at Gangenahalli in Bengaluru, involving two former chief ministers (BS Yediyurappa and HD Kumaraswamy), asserted that Kumaraswamy’s attacks were a calculated effort to deter the team from its duties.
In his letter to the Lokayukta SIT, Chandra Sekhar stated, “Accused HD Kumaraswamy, during a press conference, made false and malicious allegations and issued threats. As you are aware, the SIT had sought the prosecution sanction of the accused from the competent authority.”
“This accused, who is currently on bail, HD Kumaraswamy, has done this to deter us from fulfilling our duties. It appears his intention is to create fear among the SIT officers by targeting me personally,” he said.
“Regardless of how high and mighty an accused may be, they remain an accused. Let us not be disheartened by such allegations and threats. As the head of the SIT, I assure you that I will work without fear or favour, and bring all criminals and accused involved in our cases to justice,” Chandra Sekhar emphasised, adding, “I also promise to protect you from all external influences.”
In a pointed remark aimed at Kumaraswamy, the ADGP said, “There is a famous English quote by George Bernard Shaw which says, ‘Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.’ However, we cannot avoid confronting criminals and the accused in the line of duty.”
“Sometimes, the criminals and accused we confront try to throw dirt at us. But this should never deter us from performing our duties. Never lose hope, for truth always triumphs. Let us have faith in truth, God, and our law,” Chandra Sekhar concluded, expressing confidence that truth would ultimately prevail.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
