Karnataka: CCB drugs probe stays clear of politicians, kin

BENGALURU: "We are taking it very seriously. No matter how big or powerful an accused person is, he won't be spared," said chief minister BS Yediyurappa in reply to queries on alleged involvement of some politicians in the drugs scandal in Karnataka. Several of his cabinet colleagues echoed the view.
On the ground, investigations by the City Crime Branch (CCB) have so far stayed clear of the politicians despite clear indications that many of them - and their kin - might have had close connections with those named in the investigation. In the past two weeks, police have questioned 22 persons and arrested a few of them. Those questioned included Kannada film actors, builders, real-estate developers and a few government employees. Not a single active politician, though.
This, despite actors Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjjanaa, and whistleblowers Indrajit Lankesh and Prashanth Smabargi reportedly taking names of political biggies, including those from the ruling party.
BJP’s ploy to divert focus from failures, says HDK
Sources said police have made no attempt to find out who these politicians are, despite photographs showing ruling and opposition party politicians in the company of those under the scanner. The crime branch is yet to question any of them.
With the monsoon session just a week away, drugs scam could not have come at a worse time for Yediyurappa. Sources said politicians may not target each other knowing well that those who are involved are from different parties and they do not want to embarrass each other over the issue. Sources said a compromise has been achieved between the ruling and opposition parties; even if they dig up the issue, it is at best symbolic.
Former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said: “Not just politicians, senior IAS and IPS officers are also involved in the scam and are making money. It’s a ploy by the BJP to take the media’s focus away from its failures in handling Covid and other issues. There is no point in raising the drugs scandal since the real culprits will not be booked. We will, instead, focus on farmers’ issues.”
Siddaramaiah, opposition leader in the legislative assembly, said: “The drugs hullabaloo should not divert the attention from issues critical to farmers and the public. We won’t allow it. The drug scandal is an important issue, but the ruling party should not use it to settle scores against its political rivals. We demand a comprehensive probe to bring the real culprits to book.”