Bengaluru, Jan 9 (NationPress) Karnataka's Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced on Friday that officials are in discussions to transfer the investigation regarding the alleged stripping incident involving a woman in Hubballi to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This move is pending the Chief Minister’s approval.

While addressing reporters at the Home Office in Bengaluru, he emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation by the CID to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident and to report back to the government.

“Following this, the government will evaluate the situation to determine accountability and any possible negligence related to the incident,” he stated.

He clarified that the police did not facilitate the woman’s stripping; instead, she acted independently. “I have previously informed the media that the police did not disrobe her, and she did so on her own. However, a detailed investigation is essential to achieve complete clarity,” he remarked.

Discussing the critique from Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy towards Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for holding a meeting with police officers, Parameshwara defended Shivakumar’s actions. “While it may be constitutionally accurate, as claimed by Kumaraswamy, to state that additional powers are not granted, it is unjust to label Shivakumar’s visit as inappropriate. He serves as Deputy Chief Minister and has taken an oath to serve,” he explained.

He added that had he visited Ballari immediately following the incident, it could have led to allegations of interfering with police instructions. “We ensure our visits do not influence the investigation. That is why I have not been to Ballari thus far,” he noted.

Parameshwara indicated that Shivakumar's visit was on humanitarian grounds to meet the family affected by the incident. “If even this is deemed inappropriate, what is the protocol for a government representative to extend condolences?” he questioned.

He stated that there has been no interference in the decisions made to date. “The Chief Minister and I collaborate on decisions. I could have unilaterally decided to transfer the Hubballi case to the CID, but such actions require informing the Chief Minister,” he asserted.

Clarifying his position regarding the transfer of the Ballari Range IGP, Parameshwara reaffirmed that he was not unaware of the situation. “I am fully informed. Transfers are executed by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR). I mentioned it in that context. The Chief Minister is responsible for signing off on such decisions,” he specified.

In response to protests regarding the MGNREGA scheme, he remarked that demonstrations would occur statewide to raise awareness about the hardships faced by beneficiaries. “Renaming the scheme is an affront to Mahatma Gandhi, and it will not provide employment in villages. We will make it clear to the public how these financial decisions are being made from Delhi,” he stated.

He highlighted that former PM Rajiv Gandhi had decentralized authority through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, ensuring local decisions on village infrastructure were not made from distance. “If this decentralization is being reversed, why then discuss it? The BJP-led central government must defend its decision regarding the MGNREGA scheme in a special Assembly session,” he concluded.