Bengaluru: Union Minister and former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy claimed on Wednesday that his signature was forged on a document related to a mining lease granted to Sri Sai Venkateshwara Minerals in October 2007, during his tenure as Chief Minister. The revelation comes amid a request from the Lokayukta to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, seeking permission to press charges against Kumaraswamy.
Speaking at a news conference, Kumaraswamy expressed uncertainty about whether the file in question had ever reached him. “I don’t remember properly, it needs to be verified whether that particular file had come to me or not. It was not my handwriting and my signature was forged. Let the inquiry reveal everything,” he said. The former Chief Minister also called for the signature to be examined by an international forensic lab, stressing that he was not obstructing the special investigating team (SIT) from conducting a thorough investigation.
In November last year, the Lokayukta’s petition to Governor Gehlot, which was accessed by Deccan Herald, stated that the state forensic science lab had matched the signature on the file with Kumaraswamy’s handwriting. This forensic finding has added complexity to the case, which is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
Kumaraswamy raised concerns about the Lokayukta’s approach, questioning why the SIT had sought the Governor’s approval instead of submitting their findings directly to the court. “The case is pending before the Supreme Court. The court has directed the SIT to file a report. Why did they go to the Governor? What stops them from filing their report before the court?” he asked.
The former Chief Minister further explained that he had approached the Supreme Court in 2014, and in 2016, the then-Congress government had intervened, promising to conduct an inquiry. The court had ordered the completion of this inquiry within three months. “If the inquiry is completed, why are you not placing it before the Supreme Court?” he questioned.
Kumaraswamy also alleged that Sri Sai Venkateshwara Minerals, the company at the centre of the controversy, was fraudulent, accusing it of manipulating banks and courts. He claimed that the Congress party was using this “dead case” to tarnish his image and vowed to fight the matter legally.
The case has intensified political tensions in Karnataka, with Kumaraswamy defending his innocence while the investigation continues. As the matter unfolds, it remains to be seen how the allegations of forgery and the subsequent legal battle will impact his political standing and the broader political landscape in the state.