BENGALURU/BALLARI/BAGALKOT: Embarrassed by excise minister HY Meti’s alleged sex CD row, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has apparently told the minister to be prepared to quit if the CD exists and is released. An RTI activist Rajashekar Mulali had said that a CD containing Meti’s alleged indecent act with a woman who approached him for a favour exists.
Siddaramaiah, who discussed the issue with police top brass on Monday, is said to have asked the state intelligence to dig deep into the alleged scam and report to him whether such a CD really exists or if it is just a blackmail tactic by “vested interests”.
Though Meti, 71, tried to offer an explanation to Siddaramaiah over the controversy, the CM, according to sources, cut him short as he took Meti’s call. There is nothing much to explain, Siddaramaiah reportedly told the minister and made it clear that he (Meti) would have to come clean in the alleged scam. He also added that Meti would be shown the door if any such sex CD is released.
Later in the day fielding questions from reporters on the issue, Siddaramaiah said that the RTI activist has not released any CD. “I will react after any such CD is released. Meti will not be allowed to continue as a minister if such a CD is released. I will not tolerate such shameful conduct as it goes against my own ethical values too.”
Meanwhile Meti reiterated his claim that he was not involved in any immoral act with any woman and challenged Mulali to release the CD. He termed the entire episode as a political conspiracy to malign him.
Ballari police are yet to register a first information report (FIR) based on the complaint of Mulali who alleged that four unidentified people claiming to be supporters of Meti issued him a life threat for possessing the alleged CD.
When Express asked Superintendent of Police Chethan R why no FIR was registered, he said, “In this case, which is a non-cognisable offence, the FIR has to be registered with the permission from court. As the court is closed today (Monday) on the occasion of Eid Milad, we can approach it only on Tuesday. Six questions have been sent to Mulali with an intention to provide him security, and speed up the investigation. We have provided security around his house.”
In his complaint, the activist said that some people had been stalking him for the past 10 days and that he and his family were being threatened.
On Sunday, a woman purporting to be the “victim” in the CD had on a TV channel claimed Meti had sought sexual favours in request for a transfer in the department but said she was not the woman in the CD.
However, Basavaraj Sarur, husband of the alleged victim, contradicted her statement, saying the woman in the CD was his wife.
When Express contacted him over phone on Monday, he said he and his wife were leading a harmonious life and claimed that he is a relative of Meti. Asked about his wife’s whereabouts, Sarur said she was not at home and that he was trying to reach her.
Will meet KPCC Chief: RTI Activist
RTI activist Rajashekhar Mulali, told Express on Monday that he would give a ‘presentation’ to Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and Home Minister G Parameshwara on the ‘sexual act’ of the minister once the latter gives him an appointment.
Mulali has already lodged a complaint against four people for allegedly threatening him for having the video footage in which the minister is allegedly in a compromising position with a woman from Bagalkot.