• Source:PTI
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Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy, along with his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy and their aide Suresh Babu, was booked on Monday for allegedly threatening a senior IPS officer investigating him. The Bengaluru Police registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) M Chandrasekhar, who leads the Special Investigation Team (SIT) under Karnataka Lokayukta, investigating a mining case in which HD Kumaraswamy is an accused.

M Chandrasekhar, who sought permission from the Karnataka Governor to pursue legal action against HD Kumaraswamy, claims the minister retaliated by levelling false allegations and issuing threats. He alleged that HD Kumaraswamy accused him of corruption, questioned his integrity and threatened to have him transferred out of the Karnataka cadre. 

The senior official also stated that HD Kumaraswamy, during press conferences held on September 28 and 29, publicly defamed him and even extended allegations to his family.

In his complaint, Chandrasekhar mentioned that HD Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil made similar accusations and their aide Babu wrote a letter to the Karnataka Chief Secretary, later sharing it on social media to intensify the threats. The ADGP noted this intimidation tactic was aimed at hindering his duties as an investigator and demotivating his team.

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After obtaining permission from the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, police registered the FIR on November 4. The charges invoke Section 224 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which addresses threats against public servants. 

According to some reports, the complaint includes accusations of Kumaraswamy’s intent to dissuade SIT officers by attacking Chandrasekhar personally. ''The accused, despite his stature, remains an accused,'' Chandrasekhar said, addressing his staff in a letter and reiterated his resolve to carry on with the probe.

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The investigation centres on HD Kumaraswamy’s alleged involvement in approving an illegal 550-acre mining lease for Sri Sai Venkateshwara Minerals (SSVM) in Bellary district during his tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister from 2006 to 2008. M Chandrasekhar’s complaint states that the SIT had gathered sufficient evidence to prosecute and had formally requested sanction from the Karnataka Governor to proceed.