Sonia pays a visit to Karnataka Cong strongman in Tihar
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Karnataka Congress leader DK Shivakumar in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), saying he cannot tamper with the evidence or influence witnesses. Justice Suresh Kait said the Congress leader was “entitled” for grant of bail as no material has been shown to indicate that he was a flight risk.
Earlier in the day, Congress president Sonia Gandhi met Shivakumar in Tihar Jail and assured him of all support from the party. Sonia was accompanied by Congress general secretary Ambika Soni and Congress MP DK Suresh, who is also the brother of Shivakumar. Sonia had met former Finance Minister P Chidambaram when he was lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with the INX Media case.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and ex-Chief Ministers HD Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah welcomed the High Court granting bail to the Congress leader.
Kumaraswamy had met Shivakumar at Tihar Jail on Monday and said that the Congress leader was “bold” to fight “vengeance politics”.
Shivakumar and Kumaraswamy, both Vokkaliga strongmen, have been bitter political opponents in the old Mysuru region, until they came together for the formation of the Congress-JD(S) coalition Government, after 2018 Assembly polls.
Shivakumar was a key Minister in the Kumaraswamy Cabinet and played a major role in the stability of the coalition Government until it collapsed in July, following resignation of several MLAs of the two parties, eventually leading to installation of the BJP Government. His arrest had led to widespread protests, especially in Ramanagara, Bengaluru rural, Mandya and other parts of old Mysuru region.
It had even taken a caste colour with thousands of people belonging to the Vokkaliga community taking out a rally recently in Bengaluru protesting the arrest and expressing solidarity with him.
Granting the bail, Justice Suresh Kait said that Shivakumar, 57, cannot tamper with the evidence as the documents are with the investigating agencies. The court further said that he no longer was in power and there was no evidence to show that he or his family members or close associates attempted to influence witnesses. It directed, however, that he be released on bail on furnishing a bond of Rs 25 lakh and two sureties of the like amount.
The other conditions laid down by the High Court while granting him the relief include not leaving the country with the concerned trial court’s permission, making himself available for interrogation when required and not to influence the witnesses.
Shivakumar was arrested by the ED on September 3 in the money laundering case. While in judicial custody he had challenged the trial court’s order denying him bail in the case. The ED had opposed his bail plea saying he was an influential person and he could tamper with evidence and influence witnesses if released.
