Bengaluru: The Rs. 70 lakh expensive Hublot watch that had stopped ticking has started ticking again with the former Deputy Superintendent of Police Anupama Shenoy hurling fresh allegations against Chief Minister Siddharmaiah that the watch was gifted to the CM by Dubai-based NRI B.R. Shetty. It may be recalled that the incident was given a quiet burial when the CM had handed the watch over to Speaker K.B. Koliwad through a declaration. However, Anupama Shenoy has alleged freshly that the CM had taken the watch as bribe in exchange for passing two projects.
In her letter to the Speaker, she has said that the Hublot watch was given to the CM through his Dubai friend Dr. Girish Chandra Varma, a doctor working in Dubai hospital owned by Shetty. Apart from the letter, Anupama has also submitted a few documents and information and urged for investigation.
The State government has given land on a lease of 30 years to Dubai-based industrialist B.R. Shetty to set up a super-speciality hospital of BRS Health and Research Institute in Udupi. Even the Rs. 450 crore contract for development of Jog Falls in Shivamogga has been given to the same company, she has alleged in her letter.
Shetty has indirectly used the influence of Dr. Varma, who is close to the CM to get these two huge projects. Hence, it calls for a detailed investigation to remove the doubts in the minds of the people. If the demand is not heeded then there is no option but to go for legal action, she has said.
Meanwhile, she has also demanded that the watch, which is now in the possession of the Government should be protected. In spite of the several complaints registered with the ACB and Lokayukta a detailed investigation did not take place and instead a clean chit was given to the Chief Minister. Even the Speaker has colluded. The sources said that Anupama Shenoy is planning to file a private petition in the court.
This post was published on August 1, 2017 6:54 pm