Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy. (File photo. Credits: PTI)

Cash for file clearance? HD Kumaraswamy releases alleged WhatsApp exchanges

Kumaraswamy alleged that of the Rs 60 lakh demanded for the crusher-related files, Rs 50 lakh was meant for a senior official and Rs 10 lakh for other staff.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Chats mention payments for land conversion, crusher approvals and official work
  • No immediate response from district or state government so far
  • Kumaraswamy urges probe, seizure of phones to unearth irregularities

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday released purported WhatsApp conversations alleging demands for bribes to clear official files in Karnataka’s Hassan district, including Rs 60 lakh for three stone crusher-related files.

Addressing a press conference in Hassan, Kumaraswamy said the 15 pages of exchanges referred to payments for land conversion, crusher approvals and other official work. He also alleged that Rs 75 lakh had been paid to retain an official in a particular post.

There was no immediate response from the district authorities or the state government.

RS 60 LAKH ALLEGEDLY SOUGHT FOR THREE FILES

Kumaraswamy alleged that of the Rs 60 lakh demanded for the crusher-related files, Rs 50 lakh was meant for a senior official and Rs 10 lakh for other staff.

Reading from one of the purported exchanges, he quoted the sender as saying: “Your job is that of a broker, isn't it? We have to pay the amount you give us to officials. From the small amount left over, I have to distribute it among everyone in my section. The driver, gunman, another personal assistant and everyone else have to be paid.”

On the alleged Rs 75 lakh payment to retain an official, Kumaraswamy cited a message in which the sender claimed to have raised the money from different sources and handed it over through an intermediary.

KUMARASWAMY SEEKS PROBE

The Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel urged senior police officials to seize the mobile phones allegedly used in the exchanges and investigate the claims.

“I have raised this issue because I genuinely want the government to put an end to such practices if it is sincere about tackling corruption. If such activities are curbed, we will be the first to felicitate the government,” he said.

- Ends