The Supreme Court has dismissed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's plea to quash the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) case against him, which alleges disproportionate assets under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court's decision upholds an earlier order by the Karnataka High Court, which also rejected Shivakumar’s plea.
The case dates back to when the CBI moved the Karnataka High Court after the state government dropped the CBI’s investigation against Shivakumar. The High Court was responding to a petition by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, who challenged the state government’s decision to withdraw consent for the CBI probe.
Previously, the Supreme Court had refused to intervene in the Karnataka High Court’s interim order that stayed proceedings against Shivakumar in this case. This refusal maintained the status quo, allowing the CBI investigation to continue.
In November of the previous year, the Congress-led Karnataka government approved a proposal to withdraw the CBI investigation into Shivakumar’s alleged disproportionate assets. This decision sparked significant political controversy, with the BJP condemning the move as "totally illegal."
The allegations against Shivakumar revolve around claims that he possesses assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The investigation began after a 2017 raid by the Income Tax Department, which prompted further inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Following the ED’s findings, the CBI sought and was granted permission by the state government to file an FIR against Shivakumar. This permission was granted on September 25, 2019, and the CBI charged Shivakumar under the Prevention of Corruption Act on October 3, 2020.
The case against Shivakumar has been a point of contention in Karnataka’s political landscape, highlighting the ongoing struggle between the BJP and the Congress in the state. Shivakumar, a prominent Congress leader, has maintained that the charges are politically motivated.
The Supreme Court’s decision to reject Shivakumar’s plea means that the CBI will continue its investigation into the Deputy Chief Minister’s assets. This ongoing probe is likely to keep the political atmosphere in Karnataka charged, as both parties prepare for upcoming elections and continue to debate the legality and morality of the state government's actions.
Shivakumar’s legal team argued that the state government had the authority to withdraw the CBI’s consent for the investigation, asserting that the charges were baseless and politically driven. However, the courts have consistently ruled against these arguments, allowing the investigation to proceed.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s case is part of a larger pattern of legal and political battles in India, where allegations of corruption and the subsequent investigations often become tools in the struggle for power. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for both Shivakumar’s political career and the broader political dynamics in Karnataka.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how it will impact Shivakumar's standing within the Congress party and his position in the state government.
The BJP, on the other hand, will likely continue to use the case to challenge the Congress's governance and integrity, further intensifying the political rivalry in Karnataka.
The Supreme Court’s rejection of DK Shivakumar’s plea to quash the CBI’s disproportionate assets case underscores the ongoing legal and political complexities surrounding the Deputy Chief Minister. This decision ensures that the investigation will continue, keeping the spotlight on issues of corruption and governance in Karnataka’s political arena.
Follow us
