Bengaluru: Leader of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) has voiced suspicions about a significant cash seizure, claiming that the money was collected from contractors as a form of “commission” right after the release of Rs 650 crore in pending dues to them.
He expressed concerns that the seized funds were intended for the upcoming elections in Telangana. “As soon as assembly elections are announced in five states, vast sums of money are stashed away in the state. In this case, the money was concealed under a cot. How was this tainted money accumulated? These are questions that demand answers,” Kumaraswamy stated.
Kumaraswamy pointed out that the Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had released Rs 650 crore in pending payments to specific contractors. Shortly after this release, the Income Tax department confiscated Rs 42 crore in cash, providing evidence that the money was gathered as a commission. He questioned the exact percentage taken and sought to identify the individuals responsible.
Furthermore, the JD-S leader disclosed that the cash found in 23 boxes was en route to the election-bound state of Telangana.
Kumaraswamy called on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to clarify the nature of the investigation he plans to initiate in response to this incident. He posed the question of whether the probe should be conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a sitting judge, or a retired judge, and emphasized the need for answers from the Chief Minister.