Bengaluru: The Karnataka Government has slammed the Centre for the use of Central forces while conducting Income Tax (IT) search and seizure operations on the premises linked to Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
The State said the deployment of Central armed forces in operational attire for a civilian operation sends a wrong impression about the necessity of such a move.
In a letter to Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, the State’s Additional Chief Secretary to Home Department Subhash Chandra said that the use of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in the operations is against the “established conventions of co-operative action between agencies of the Central and State Governments”, which cannot be bypassed in matters where both share responsibilities.
Chandra said there were protests following the raids and “there was every possibility that the matter could have escalated” into a law and order situation, which is the responsibility of the State Government. This comes a day after CM Siddharamaiah expressed opposition to the use of CRPF personnel in the raids and called it “politically motivated” and against “the principles of democracy and co-operative federalism.”
“The deployment of CRPF in full operational attire with weapons for a civilian operation casts aspersions of adverse credibility, integrity and professionalism on the State Police which has been utilised by the I-T Department effectively earlier,” said the letter.
The I-T Department did not seek assistance from the local Police or any senior Police authority for these operations, Chandra said, that Central force being deployed for such an operation is a first for Karnataka. About 30 armed CRPF personnel were deployed in Bengaluru during the search.
“The Government of Karnataka wishes to convey its strong protest with regard to the above. It is requested that established conventions of co-operative action between agencies of the Central and State Governments should not be by-passed in such matters. It is also requested that I-T department is suitably advised,’’ the letter said.
I think now we have seen it all! See this statement ‘CM Siddharamaiah expressed opposition to the use of CRPF personnel in the raids and called it “politically motivated” and against “the principles of democracy and co-operative federalism’! Let us see what would have happened if the IT tried to take help from state! Every crook and criminal affected would be alerted! And evidence hidden! After seeing how the government treated the Wistle blower like Rupa – DIG, we all know and imagine what would have happened! Then, the entire congress team would have accused Modi and declared that IT did not have a shred of evidence as they all have Ben put away safely! Still better, the top police officers who don’t have the guts to stand tall against CM or DKShi would be partners in this looting game called “democracy”! That is what our CM is saying! He , being a true congressman seems to believe that principle of democracy is in its unlimited ability to allow people in power to loot, cheat and swindle without any consequences or complaints! In pursuit of that goal, a sacrificing a few honest people us a small price to pay! Sound right?
So, Siddaramiah is actually hinting (or confessing) that if state police were used, the outcome would be different! So, that answers the question why state police was not used! DIG Rupa’a transfer Also proved beyond doubt that state police is under the thumb of corrupt politicians! Like a thief complaining that the complaint should have been filed in a different police station !