Ananth Kumar questions FSL investigation in leaked video case

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India] Oct 9 (ANI): Union Minister for Fertiliser and Chemical Ananth Kumar on Monday questioned the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) investigation in a leaked video against him and Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.S. Yeddyurappa.

In the video clip, there is a purported conversation between Yeddyurappa and Kumar in which the two are allegedly deliberating on how to politically use allegations made against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that he paid Rs. 1,000 crore to the Congress high command to stay in power.

Addressing a press conference, Kumar said that the way they are conducting FSL investigation is itself under question.

Kumar said the FSL took one year to submit report of the call details of late police officer M.K. Ganapathi, who allegedly killed himself in a lodge in Kodagu last year when he was Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mangaluru.

He also said that in the case of Karnataka top cop Anupama Shenoy, the FSL is not doing anything.

Shenoy, DSP of Kudligi, in Ballari district, resigned on June 4, 2016 and launched a tirade against the state government on social media.

The Union Minister said, "I am happy that in our case the FSL report has come within 15 days. From day one, I and Yeddyurappa have been urging that if you want to put forth the conversation, please put forth the full conversation. For, it was not a conversation of few seconds. Therefore, we are saying it (video) is doctored. At the same time, I want to ask a straight question to FSL: how come they have achieved such speed against Yeddyurappa and Ananth Kumar?"

Kumar further added: "In the case of Anupama Shenoy, the FSL is not doing anything. In the case of Ganapathi, you (FSL) happily took one year. But, because we belong to the BJP; because we are political opponents, you took only 15 days to submit report."

On Sunday, the Karnataka Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) clarified that no FIR has been filed against Yeddyurappa and Ananth Kumar in the leaked video matter. The ACB also stated that the case is with the cybercrime unit.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that an FIR was filed against Yeddyurappa and Kumar on the basis of FSL report in which the lab cleared the voice of both the leaders in the leaked video.

The case in this regard was filed by a Congress affiliated lawyer Dhananjaya. (ANI)