Tax officials quiz Karnataka Minister, kin over assets

Bengaluru Nov 6 (IANS) Income Tax officials on Monday questioned Karnataka Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his family members over seized documents pertaining to their assets including cash jewellery and other properties an official said.

"Shivakumar and his family members were questioned in continuation to his properties seized during the raids in August. They were asked for clarifications regarding the assets " the senior tax official told IANS here.

Those questioned at the main Income Tax Department Office included Shivakumar s mother wife daughter and brother D.K. Suresh.

Speaking to reporters after the questioning Shivakumar said: "The Income Tax officials wanted more information from me and my family members and questioned all of us individually and took our statements."

Calling himself an "open book" the Minister said he had "violated no law".

"I respect the law of the land and have been cooperating with officials throughout " Shivakumar said.

Shivakumar is the Congress MLA from Kanakapura segment in Ramanagara district near Bengaluru. Suresh is a Congress lawmaker from Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha constituency.

Raids were conducted at the Minister s residence at Kanakapura in the city and south Delhi on August 2 and continued till August 5.

Over 100 IT sleuths raided about 60 locations in the state Delhi and Chennai and seized several documents and cash of Rs 10 crore from some locations.

As per declarations made in his nomination papers to tne Election Commission for the 2013 assembly elections Shivakumar is said to be the second richest politician in the state with assets valued at Rs 251 crore four years ago.

--IANS
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