The Enforcement Directorate will look into MLA Ramesh Kumar’s complaint against anti-corruption crusader S R Hiremath, the Karnataka government announced on Tuesday.
Ramesh Kumar, whom Hiremath had accused of land grab, had charged in the Assembly that the founder of the Samaja Parivartana Samudaya was misusing foreign funds.
Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Home Minister K J George said Ramesh Kumar, a former Assembly speaker and senior Congress leader, had also accused the NGO of violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act.
Since the Karnataka police cannot investigate the matter, the government has referred it to the Enforcement Directorate, George explained.
Hiremath told Express he welcomed the government’s decision. “I will extend full cooperation to the investigative agency and furnish all documents,” he said.
He said the government was wrong to think it could stop his crusade by referring such complaints to the Enforcement Directorate.
“The government should not be vindictive towards people exposing the misdeeds of corrupt politicians,” he said.
Hiremath also said he would be happy to share with the media the Enforcement Directorate’s report after the investigation was done.
The Dharwad-based social activist has exposed illegal mining in Bellary and other scandals involving ministers and MLAs.