Probe Furthers In Shivakumar's Disproportionate Assets Case: CBI Seeks Details Of Investment In Kerala-Based Jaihind Channel

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued a notice to the Jaihind channel, based in Kerala, requesting details of investments made by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in connection with a disproportionate assets case against the Congress leader as reported by Indian Express.

The Bengaluru unit of the agency, handling the investigation, has summoned the Managing Director of Jaihind Communications Pvt Ltd to appear on 11 January 2024, along with all necessary documents related to the probe.

Under Section 91 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the CBI has invoked its authority to request documents, specifically seeking information on investments made by Shivakumar and his wife Usha Shivakumar in the channel.

The agency is also seeking details on dividends, share transactions, financial transactions, bank details, statement of holdings, ledger accounts, contract notes, and transactions related to share dealings.

Jaihind managing director B S Shiju confirmed receiving the CBI notice and assured that they will provide all the requested documents, emphasising that all records are legitimately held.

Shiju criticised the CBI's actions, alleging that it is a politically motivated move by the BJP-led government at the Centre.

He claimed that the case had been previously investigated and closed by the former BJP-led Karnataka government due to the absence of identified illegality.

The CBI initiated a case against Shivakumar in 2020, alleging that between 2013 and 2018, he accumulated assets exceeding Rs 74 crore, disproportionate to his income.