Bengaluru, Sep 10 (PTI) Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Thursday said the ED searches at premises linked to him was mainly focused on a foreign investment and asserted that he would provide all documents sought by the agency.
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday searched around 18 premises in Karnataka, including those linked to Jarkiholi, his daughter and Chikkodi Congress MP Priyanka Jarkiholi and his brother-in-law Y D Manjunath, as part of a fresh investigation under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), officials had said.
“The notice we received was under FEMA. It (searches) has been done under the Foreign Exchange Management Act,” Jarkiholi told reporters here, adding that the agency’s main focus was on the investment.
The minister said the ED had taken cash found during the searches, which he estimated at around Rs one- two crore, and asserted that it belonged to him.
“They (ED officials) have taken away money. We will claim it later because we have to provide documents. There is a legal procedure and there will be a hearing. At that time, we will try to get it returned by establishing that it belongs to us,” he said.
Jarkiholi said searches were conducted at around seven to eight places connected to him in the state, mainly in Belagavi, Bengaluru and Gokak, and that the agency had also checked documents.
He said no further action such as freezing of bank accounts had taken place so far, describing the current exercise as “just a search”.
“They will issue us a notice. We still have to see under which sections they proceed and what action they take. We will provide all the information they ask for. We will cooperate with them in every way,” he said.
Jarkiholi also rejected suggestions that he or his family had faced harassment during the searches.
Asked about reports of political targeting, Jarkiholi said the issue was being discussed across the country and alleged that central agencies were not acting against leaders of the BJP with the same intensity.
“We may have made some minor mistakes. I cannot say that everyone is 100 per cent correct. Even if we have made mistakes, there are many others who have committed more serious mistakes than us. But the CBI, ED or Income Tax authorities do not look in that direction,” he said.
“Instead of catching the big fish, they (central agencies) are sitting and catching the small fish. That is the intention.” The minister said he had faith that the ED would conduct the investigation fairly.
On protests by his supporters, including a proposed demonstration at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, Jarkiholi said they were not sponsored by him or politically motivated.
Asked whether community leaders were being targeted, Jarkiholi referred to former minister B Nagendra, who had also faced scrutiny in connection with the Valmiki Corporation scam worth Rs 89 crore, leading to his resignation for the second time on August 28.
“It is correct. Nagendra was targeted, and now it is my turn. If it is happening in a series, naturally it will create concern in society,” he claimed.
On allegations that raids could be linked to political pressure or inducements, Jarkiholi said it was too early to draw conclusions.
The minister also played down the experience of the searches, saying, “As you know, there is no grilling or drilling. No grill, no drill. I am comfortable.” He said he was prepared to respond to notices and provide the required information as the investigation progresses. PTI GMS SA
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