Former Chief Minister and JD(S) state chief HD Kumaraswamy, on Tuesday, demanded the immediate suspension of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar from the cabinet. Kumaraswamy's call came in light of allegations that Shivakumar was involved in leaking a pen drive containing videos of women allegedly being sexually abused, with the involvement of Kumaraswamy's nephew, Prajwal Revanna.
Kumaraswamy alleged that around 25,000 pen drives containing such videos were distributed before the polls, accusing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar of being part of a conspiracy.
In a press conference held in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy criticised the government and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for their perceived inaction regarding a complaint filed by Prajwal Revanna’s polling agent, Poornachandra Tejaswi, against four individuals for sharing the obscene videos.
The former CM clarified that he would not protect anyone involved in such wrongdoings and put focus on the need for stringent punishment as per the law. He revealed details about the distribution of the pen drives, stating that they were circulated not only in Hassan but also in Mandya and Bangalore Rural constituencies, allegedly orchestrated by police officers under pressure.
Kumaraswamy expressed frustration over the lack of action despite the filing of an FIR against five individuals, including Naveen Gowda, Karthik Gowda, Chetan, and Putti alias Puttaraju. He criticised the Election Commission's state nodal officer for closing the case based on a report, pointing out the lack of action by the Cyber, Economic and Narcotic (CEN) Police Station in Hassan.
Moreover, Kumaraswamy highlighted statements made by CM Siddaramaiah during the elections, where he confidently claimed that all three JD(S) nominees would lose. Kumaraswamy urged for a transparent investigation to uncover the truth behind the pen drive controversy and reiterated his stance of not compromising on justice in this case.
He also voiced his objections regarding the focus on Prajwal Revanna in the ongoing controversy surrounding obscene videos. The former CM pointed out discrepancies in the handling of the case, citing an example based on a complaint filed by Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Dr Nagalakshmi Chowdry on April 27. The Chief Minister promptly announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe Prajwal Revanna’s alleged involvement in the obscene videos case, despite the complaint not mentioning Prajwal or HD Revanna's name.
Kumaraswamy expressed concerns over the transparency of the investigation, highlighting that the commission's chairperson had not specifically named anyone but called for a probe. He raised questions about the swift actions taken by the government, emphasising the need for a genuine SIT rather than what he termed as the "Siddaramaiah Investigation Team" and "Shivakumar Investigation Team."
The former CM criticised the government's focus on publicity rather than ensuring justice for the victims. He highlighted instances where victims were allegedly threatened and pressured to register complaints, questioning the leaks of sensitive documents and the lack of confidentiality in the investigation process.
Kumaraswamy also raised doubts about the seriousness of the government's investigation, pointing out inconsistencies such as the addition of bailable sections in the FIR and the leak of sensitive information to the media. He stressed the importance of maintaining secrecy in ongoing investigations and condemned the use of the complaint as a tool for defamation.
Furthermore, Kumaraswamy questioned the government's handling of the case in light of recent events, including the participation of a woman allegedly subjected to threats and assault in political campaigning alongside Prajwal Revanna. He urged for a transparent investigation that focuses on justice rather than publicity, highlighting the need to protect the integrity of the investigative process.
HD Kumaraswamy also responded to the arrest of HD Revanna by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), expressing scepticism about the accusations against Revanna. He stated that while an FIR was registered against Revanna, no direct accusations had been made against him. He raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the arrest, particularly regarding allegations of blackmail and kidnapping, which he described as a "cooked-up story." He questioned how the victim for the spot inquest was found and criticised the government's handling of the case, pointing out discrepancies in locating the victim and obtaining her statement.
Kumaraswamy further alleged that the investigation was being manipulated to defame individuals rather than protect the victims. He called for transparency in the investigation process and demanded answers about the whereabouts of Karthik Gowda, whom he referred to as the 'convenor' of the pen drive scandal. Kumaraswamy expressed dissatisfaction with the government's response and demanded Karthik's arrest.
Addressing the issue of women being threatened and lured with money to file false complaints, Kumaraswamy criticised the authorities for not taking appropriate action against those responsible for leaking videos and defaming the state's name. He questioned the efficacy of the investigation and demanded accountability from the Home Minister regarding the lack of progress in the case.
Kumaraswamy also raised concerns about the handling of complaints by the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, questioning whether any complaints had been filed regarding suspected incidents. He further questioned why AICC former chief Rahul Gandhi had not been summoned despite making direct allegations against Prajwal Revanna.