Jarkiholi hits back at Kumaraswamy: 'No allegation without evidence' on ED raids
Synopsis
The ED's raids on Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi have morphed into a full-blown political war — with Union Minister Kumaraswamy pointing the finger at CM Shivakumar, Shivakumar demanding evidence, and Jarkiholi himself playing it cautious. Underneath it all: Jarkiholi's own CM ambitions, a hawala probe, and growing pressure on the ED over its conviction record.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi on 16 September said 'no allegation can be made without documents or evidence,' responding to H.D.
Kumaraswamy 's remarks linking CM D.K.
Shivakumar to ED raids on Jarkiholi.
The ED has conducted searches at premises in Bengaluru , Belagavi , Gokak , and Kolkata , probing alleged foreign investments, hawala transactions, and possible PMLA violations.
ED Director Rahul Naveen reportedly questioned officials over the slow pace of investigation post-raids.
CM Shivakumar challenged Kumaraswamy to release any documents rather than make 'baseless accusations.' Home Minister Priyank Kharge publicly questioned the ED's conviction rate despite thousands of registered cases.
Ahinda group members staged a protest in Sindhanur, Raichur , against the ED raids, backing Jarkiholi as a community leader.
Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Wednesday, 16 September pushed back against Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's remarks linking Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on Jarkiholi, his family members, and associates — saying no accusations could be made without documentary proof.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Jarkiholi said: 'Let's see. I don't have any information in that regard. Let's discuss. At present, we cannot make allegations against anyone. There are no documents or evidence with us now. When the appropriate time comes, everything will become clear.'
Background to the ED Investigation
The ED has been probing allegations linked to foreign investments and financial transactions involving Jarkiholi — described in political circles as a sugar baron — and his associates. Investigators had recently conducted searches at multiple premises in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Gokak, and Kolkata. According to officials, the probe has also focused on alleged hawala transactions and illegal transfer of money, with questions raised over whether provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) could be invoked alongside the existing Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)-related probe.
ED Director Rahul Naveen is reportedly understood to have questioned officials on the pace of the investigation following the searches, asking why the case had not advanced despite information gathered during the raids and directing attention to potential PMLA applicability.
The Kumaraswamy–Shivakumar Exchange
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday alleged that people within the Congress could be orchestrating the ED action, pointedly suggesting that Chief Minister Shivakumar — who he claimed had 'finished off his political rivals earlier' — was now targeting Jarkiholi. The remarks escalated an already charged political environment around the Karnataka government.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar fired back sharply, challenging Kumaraswamy to release whatever documents he held against him rather than 'making baseless accusations.'
Political Dimensions: Jarkiholi's CM Ambitions
Notably, when asked about his earlier assertion that a conspiracy was being hatched against him after he staked a claim to the Chief Minister's post, Jarkiholi declined to elaborate, repeating that no allegation could be made at present. His earlier claim to the top post had triggered speculation about internal Congress rivalries feeding into the current controversy.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Priyank Kharge took aim at the ED itself, questioning the agency's conviction rate despite registering thousands of cases. The ED has reportedly taken that criticism seriously amid the ongoing probe.
Protests and KDP Meeting in Belagavi
On the ground, members of the district Ahinda group staged a protest in Sindhanur in Raichur district, opposing the ED raids and describing Jarkiholi as a key Ahinda community leader. Separately, Jarkiholi attended the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting at the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi on Wednesday, arriving by helicopter from his native Gokak amid the ongoing controversy. He was seen interacting with officials and public representatives in what observers described as a composed manner.
With the ED investigation still active and political accusations flying across party lines, the episode is set to keep Karnataka's corridors of power on edge in the days ahead.
Point of View
The allegations generate counter-allegations, and the actual investigation risks being crowded out by the theatre. Kumaraswamy's move to implicate Shivakumar is a classic Opposition flanking manoeuvre — it turns an ED probe into an intra-Congress story, weakening the ruling camp regardless of facts. What is being underreported is the ED's own credibility problem: with Home Minister Kharge publicly questioning its conviction rate, and the Director reportedly rattling his own officials over investigation pace, the agency's handling of this case is as much under the microscope as Jarkiholi's finances. The PMLA question — whether investigators invoke it or stick to FEMA — will be the real tell on where this is headed.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Satish Jarkiholi say about the ED raids and Kumaraswamy's allegations?
Jarkiholi said no allegations could be made against anyone without documents or evidence, and that clarity would emerge 'when the appropriate time comes.' He declined to directly address Kumaraswamy's claim that CM Shivakumar may be behind the ED action.
What is the ED investigating in the Jarkiholi case?
The ED is probing allegations linked to foreign investments, financial transactions, and alleged hawala dealings involving Jarkiholi and his associates. Searches were conducted at premises in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Gokak, and Kolkata, and officials are examining whether the PMLA can be invoked alongside an existing FEMA-related probe.
What did H.D. Kumaraswamy allege about CM Shivakumar and the Jarkiholi raids?
Kumaraswamy alleged that people within the Congress — implicitly pointing at CM Shivakumar — may be orchestrating the ED action against Jarkiholi, claiming Shivakumar had 'finished off his political rivals earlier.' Shivakumar responded by challenging Kumaraswamy to release any documents he held and stop making 'baseless accusations.'
How does Jarkiholi's claim to the Chief Minister's post figure into this controversy?
Jarkiholi had earlier claimed that a conspiracy was being hatched against him after he staked a bid for the Karnataka Chief Minister's post. When pressed on this on Wednesday, he did not elaborate, saying no allegation could be made at present. The CM ambition is widely seen as deepening internal Congress tensions.
What is the Ahinda group and why did it protest?
Ahinda is a socio-political grouping representing backward communities, minorities, and Dalits in Karnataka. Members of the district Ahinda group staged a protest in Sindhanur, Raichur district, opposing the ED raids and rallying behind Jarkiholi as an Ahinda community leader.
