Bengaluru: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is once again under scrutiny by the Lokayukta over allegations of an illegal mining lease granted to Sri Sai Venkateswara Minerals (SSVM) during his tenure as Chief Minister in 2007.
The Lokayukta’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has renewed its efforts to file a chargesheet against Kumaraswamy, submitting a fresh proposal to Governor Thavarachand Gehlot on Monday. The SIT claims that the mining lease for 550 acres in Sandur, Bellary district, was issued in violation of the Mines and Minerals Rules.
The case, which stems from a reference in the Santosh Hegde report on illegal mining, has been under investigation since 2011. The SIT, led by IGP M. Chandrasekhar, had initially sought permission to file a chargesheet in November 2023, but the Governor requested additional clarifications.
The SIT has now provided the necessary clarifications and is urging the Governor to approve the chargesheet. The delay in the process is partly due to an amendment to the Corruption Control Act in 2018, which requires prior approval before filing charges against elected representatives or former officials.
Kumaraswamy is likely to face significant legal challenges as the case progresses.