A day after securing anticipatory bail from a Karnataka court, former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today joined investigation by the Lokayukta SIT into an illegal mining, lodged against him.
Janata Dal (Secular) state president Kumaraswamy was questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for two hours during which he explained his version of events, the officials said.
Kumaraswamy has been accused of putting immense pressure on the then Commissioner of Mines, Gangaram Baderiya, in 2007 to clear a file in favour of Janthakal mining firm, when he was the chief minister.
Baderiya, now the Revenue Department's principal secretary, was arrested by SIT on May 15 for allegedly allowing the firm to illegally lift one million tonnes of mined ore in Chitradurga based on forged documents.
The SIT had summoned Kumaraswamy following the arrest of Baderiya.
Speaking to reporters after appearing before SIT officials, Kumaraswamy said he was being targeted by the Congress government as he has a strong base in the state ahead of 2018 assembly elections.
"I am being targeted because I have a stronger base ahead of 2018 elections. And the people, who are occupying the SIT seats, take orders from the government to ensure that I am behind the bars for at least an hour and they show me in bad light," he said.
Kumaraswamy said he would cooperate with SIT officials.
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