CBI challenge to K’taka govt’s no to DKS probe may inspire new legal precedent

Bengaluru, Feb 4 (IANS) The Congress has successfully checkmated the CBI inquiry against Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and party’s state president D.K. Shivakumar (DKS) in the disproportionate assets (DA) case.

The case was handed over to the Lokayukta after the state government’s withdrawal of the consent for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).The matter, however, shows no signs of dying down, with the CBI challenging the state government’s decision in the Karnataka High Court and experts predicting that it is bound to reach the Supreme Court and become a landmark case.Sources elaborate that, more than anything, political circles are following the development with regard to Shivakumar keenly as there is alleged personal enmity of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.BJP and JD(S) leaders in the state had categorically claimed that Shivakumar would land up in jail very soon. However, Shivakumar managed to get the cabinet nod to withdraw the consent of the state government for the CBI probe in the case at the time when the Central agency was preparing to file a charge sheet against him.Presently, the Karnataka High Court has referred the petitions challenging the withdrawal of consent to a larger bench.The case is first of its kind in the state and the enormity of legal issues required consideration by a larger bench, it said.Shivakumar says: “They (BJP leaders) are taking revenge for my contribution to the election of Ahmed Patel to the Rajya Sabha. Ahmed Patel is not alive today but they continue to torture me. I know who is behind this but I will fight this out legally.”Sources say that Union Home Minister Amit Shah “made a personal request to Shivakumar to prevent Ahmad Patel from getting elected to the Rajya Sabha. However, Shivakumar had sheltered Gujarat Congress MLAs in Bengaluru and foiled all attempts to poach them”.They also claim that Amit Shah even narrated the “personal ordeal he suffered at the hands of Ahmad Patel. However, Shivakumar did not budge and told Amit Shah that Ahamad Patel was the tall leader of the party and he would back away. Ahmad Patel won the seat and Shivakumar landed in jail afterwards”.Shivakumar calls the CBI probe against him a “vendetta