Bangalore, Nov 20: Even as the demand from the opposition mounted for handing over the multi-crore fake stamp paper racket probe to the CBI, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna today declared that the government would not refer the scam to the Central Investigating Agency. "We (Karnataka) have stated our position very clearly earlier. There is no change in our stand made out on the floor of the House and elsewhere that there is no need for referring the scam to a CBI probe,” Krishna asserted during an informal chat with reporters here.
Krishna virtually endorsed the statement of his colleague, home minister Mallikarjun Kharge, who said that since the investigations by stampit, appointed by the government, had reached a final stage, "There was no need at this stage to go in for another probe by the CBI.”
Ever since the scam surfaced three years ago, Karnataka has been maintaining that police would investigate the scam and would not seek CBI help in the matter.
Asked about the repeated demand of opposition leaders, including the BJP, for a CBI probe into the scam, Krishna said there was no need of it at this stage.
The Stampit has filed 10 chargesheets in connection with the scam and is in the process of filing another soon.
The Karnataka High Court is expected to name a judge to head the special court, being set up for speedy trail of the case.
Prime Minister A B Vajpayee had mentioned that some Congress ruled states, including Karnataka, were not cooperating with the Centre for a CBI probe. Bureau Report