RTI activist TJ Abraham has approached Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala's office, seeking action against CM Siddaramaiah and his close confidante PWD Minister HC Mahadevappa.
Abraham has charged that a certain L Raghu, an executive engineer in the Bengaluru Development Authority against whom corruption charges are being probed by the Lokayukta, used his clout and bribed Public Works Department Minister HC Mahadevappa and Chief Minister Siddaramaih to stop the prosecution against him.
"Hublot watches were given as a gift to drop the charges and stop the probing agency from prosecuting Raghu," said Abraham.
"The watches were purchased from a dealer in National Market, Bengaluru. Each watch is worth ₹45 lakh. Raghu bought three watches and had gifted one each to the CM and Mahadevappa. The accused has kept one watch for himself. I have sufficient documents to prove these allegations. I dare the government to file a criminal defamation case against me. I am not worried," Abraham added.
The CM, who claims to be a socialist, became the center of criticism for wearing such an expensive watch that was reportedly a bribe. Following the outcry, the CM declared the Hublot watch as public property and handed it over to the Karnataka state assembly speaker.
"I have verified the facts. The CM has lied to the public about the watch. He claimed it was a gift from one his friends - Dr Girish Chandra Varma, who works abroad. The Anti-Corruption Bureau has summoned Dr Varma on Wednesday. But the case will be closed as CM is the head of the ACB and ACB cannot prosecute him. Hence, I have approached the Governor's office to prosecute both CM and Mahadevappa in this case," stated Abraham.
"Since there could be partiality in the investigation under ACB, I would be filing a case under section 200 before CBI special court to take up the case and probe," he said.
