‘Sex for favours’ scandal: Ramesh Jarkiholi calls video ‘political conspiracy’, knew about it 4 months ago
In a press conference at his residence this morning, Jarkiholi said “The video and CD are fake and it is a conspiracy against me. I am innocent,” he said with tears rolling down his eyes.
FollowIn a new twist to the controversial CD case involving Ramesh Jarkiholi, the former Karnataka water resource minister, on Tuesday, he told media persons that he was innocent and that the purported CD was “100% fake”.
In a press conference at his residence this morning, Jarkiholi said “The video and CD are fake and it is a conspiracy against me. I am innocent,” he said with tears rolling down his eyes. “I knew about the CD four months ago and it was discussed a couple of times with my brother(Balachandra Jarkiholi) that I have done nothing wrong,” he added.
“The person in the video is not me. I was informed by the high command that such allegations might be leveled against me and advised to take legal help. Even then I said I will fight the allegations,” Jarkiholi added.
Jarkiholi went on to add that this whole incident had hurt his wife and children the most. He said that he would avenge the honour of his extended family and supporters in Belagavi.
Jarkiholi alleged that Rs 20 crore was spent to create the controversy and that the conspiracy took place in two locations – Yeshwantpur and Hulimavu in Bengaluru. “I have information that the girl involved in the CD has given Rs 5 crore and two flats in foreign countries. The deal to conspire against me was conducted in the flat near Orion mall in Yeshwanthpur. This is to tarnish my image and political career,” he said. He also thanked Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and also former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy for their support.
He resigned as the water resources minister last week after news channels aired a video allegedly showing him getting intimate with an unidentified woman, which became a sensational scandal. A police complaint was filed accusing him of sexually exploiting the woman.
In a twist, however, on Sunday, social activist Dinesh Kallahalli approached Cubbon Park Police with a signed letter requesting withdrawal of the complaint filed against Jarkiholi on March 2. In his letter, Kallahalli has said he would like to withdraw the complaint as no FIR had been taken up and the woman has been portrayed as being involved in entrapping the minister.
