K’taka: ED searches at Satish Jarkiholi’s properties end after 37 hours, minister says cash found is his
Bengaluru, Sep 11 (IANS) Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches at the residences, offices and properties linked to Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi ended on Thursday after nearly 37 hours, with the minister saying the cash recovered during the searches belonged to him and that he would submit documents to establish its source.
The ED had launched searches at 18 locations linked to Jarkiholi in Bengaluru, Belagavi and other places from 6 a.m. on Wednesday in connection with alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and suspected illegal investments abroad.
The searches also covered properties of his family members, close associates and others linked to him.
The searches continued until Thursday evening, with officials examining documents and other material at the premises. Around Rs 3 crore in cash was allegedly found at Jarkiholi’s residence in Belagavi. The ED officials also took away certain important documents recovered from his Bengaluru residence.
After the searches ended, Jarkiholi addressed the media at his official residence in Bengaluru and said he was unable to understand the reason behind the ED action.
“We will give proper answers to the questions asked by the ED officials. We have told them that the cash found during the searches belongs to us,” Jarkiholi said.
He said documents relating to the cash would be submitted to the agency and added that the ED had taken away cash and certain documents from his properties.
According to Jarkiholi, the agency primarily questioned him about investments abroad and possible violations under FEMA.
“They have said that we have made investments abroad. We have told them that we are at the stage of making investments,” he said.
The minister questioned the need for searches, saying the agency could have issued a notice and sought information. He also alleged that there could be a political angle behind the action.
“I cannot find out the reason for the ED raid. There may be a political reason, or it may have come from their own sources. They could have issued a notice and sought information,” he said.
Jarkiholi said several people involved in much larger activities were being left out while his properties had been targeted.
“There are many very big people who do such things. Leaving them aside and coming to us is a matter for discussion,” he said.
Describing the exercise as a search rather than a raid, Jarkiholi said he was ready to cooperate with the agency and provide information whenever required.
“This is not an ED raid, it is only a search,” he said.
On the cash recovered from his residence, he said he would claim it according to the law and provide the necessary documents.
“There is a smell of politics behind this. We have said that the cash found belongs to us. I will claim it according to the law,” he said.
Jarkiholi also alleged that Congress leaders were being targeted by central investigative agencies and questioned why similar action was not being taken against BJP leaders.
“We knew that our party leaders would be targeted, but the ED came to me first. The fact that there have been no raids on BJP leaders is a question,” he said.
However, he said he would not claim that he had never made any minor mistakes and expressed confidence in a fair investigation.
“I may have made small mistakes; I will not say that I have not. I have faith that the ED officials will conduct a fair investigation,” he said.
Referring to the recent case involving former minister B. Nagendra, Jarkiholi said, “Nagendra happened, and now it is our turn.”
He also expressed concern over whether the action could be linked to his community, saying there was apprehension among people that a particular community was being targeted.
Jarkiholi said he would try to meet Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday, if possible.
The ED is examining alleged foreign investments and possible FEMA violations as part of its investigation.
–IANS
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