Energy Minister D K Shivakumar irked as I-T dept wants to question his family too

BENGALURU: Income Tax (I-T) department has intensified its probe into the alleged disproportionate assets of Energy Minister D K Shivakumar. The department has issued summons again to Shivakumar, the 7th time so far since I-T raids on his premises in August, for questioning.The high-profile minister is upset as the I-T department this time has asked him to turn up with his entire family—mother, wife and children--for questioning on Monday and Tuesday.Interestingly, the department has also instructed him to come without his auditor, which has not gone down well with Shivakumar.

The latest notice is said to have been issued as part of the probe into alleged ‘benami’ assets of Shivakumar.According to sources, the department is seeking clarifications over alleged disproportionate assets of about `300cr which was allegedly detected during the raids.The notice to his family has irked Shivakumar and it was evident as he spoke to the reporters here on Sunday.“I have received the notice to go to IT office on Monday and Tuesday. I am not new to these kind of challenges. I am a fighter and have seen many a battle. I am not the one who will  be deterred by this,” he said.

Refusing to comment about I-T raids on many Congress leaders after Modi government came to power at the Centre, Shivakumar said, “People are watching the developments and they can understand as to what is happening. I will obey the law and will attend the questioning.”The minister dropped hints of coming out with a counter after the questioning as he said, “wait till Tuesday you will get to know more.”

It may be recalled that I-T sleuths had raided Shivakumar’s residence and offices in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kanakapura and Delhi when he was playing host to Congress MLAs of Gujarat who were brought to a luxury resort in Bengaluru during the Rajya Sabha polls in that state. Shivakumar succeeded in keeping the Gujarat Congress MLAs away from ‘poaching by BJP’ and ensuring the victory of Ahmed Patel, close confidant of Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha poll.