Karnataka will summon Kumaraswamy if evidence emerges, says Priyank Kharge
The Home Minister stated that the state police would act within the law regarding the alleged sting operation probe.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said on Monday that the state police would summon Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy if any evidence is found against him regarding an alleged sting operation. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge asserted that the government is acting within the law and is not interested in targeting the Union Minister without cause.
According to reports from ANI and South First, Kharge claimed that technical evidence exists suggesting more than three people involved in circulating the video are working with Kumaraswamy. He noted that notices were served to these individuals, but they are currently absconding and have applied for anticipatory bail.
Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said the Central Crime Branch (CCB) issued summons to two men, Vinod Sharma and Prajwal Prasad, who are reportedly part of Kumaraswamy's social media team. Singh stated that these individuals became persons of interest after a Ghaziabad resident, Ritesh Pandey, named them during interrogation.
Kharge also alleged that a Union Minister is attempting to use the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to implicate him and Congress leaders in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) scam. He questioned if Kumaraswamy is the only Union Minister aware of the scam and suggested the Minister may be guilty of something.
The Home Minister maintained that his position does not grant him extra-constitutional powers and that the investigation will follow legal procedures. He added that if evidence is found against Kumaraswamy, the official will be summoned.