Karnataka: Police lodges FIR against Union Minister Kumaraswamy, ex-MLC Ramesh Gowda over alleged extortion

The complaint has been filed by a businessman named Vijay Tata in which he alleges that they demanded Rs 50 crore from him and issued him life threats.

The police initially registered a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) against Kumaraswamy and Ramesh Gowda and subsequenlty lodged an FIR. The FIR names Ramesh as the first accused and HD Kumaraswamy as the second accused.

Complainant Vijay Tata, a resident of Dasarahalli, is a real estate businessman. He has been identified with the JDS party since 2018 and is currently the vice president of the social media department of the party, as per his claim.

As per Vijay Tata's complaint, "During the 2019 Mandya Lok Sabha Elections, I had campaigned on social media on behalf of JDS candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy and personally spent crores of rupees. Former MLC Ramesh Gowda came home on August 24 last and called Kumaraswamy saying that the ticket to Nikhil Kumaraswamy in the Channapatna by-election is final."

"Then he said 'this time in Channapatna by-election it is inevitable for us to win 50 crore rupees will have to be paid for election expenses,' he said. I immediately said 'Sir I don't have that much money, I have to complete my real estate projects. So I will try to get involved in the party's activities.' Infuriated by my words, Kumaraswamy threatened that if I don't prepare 50 crores, I don't know what I will do, not only will you run a real estate business in Bangalore, but it will be difficult to live here."

"Ramesh Gowda, who was sitting in front of me, threatened that "Prepare 50 crores as told by Kumaranna and I am building a temple and a school, for which I will give 5 crores. If you don't give this money, you will face trouble,'' Vijay Tata explained in the complaint.

Earlier today, JD(S) Social Media Cell President Chandan HS dismissed the allegations made by Vijay Tata against Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and MLC Ramesh Gowda as "false allegations."

In a letter, Chandan HS said that Vijay Tata does not hold any position within the JDS Social Media Cell and is doing this for publicity. He added that the party will file a complaint against Tata. (ANI)