Date:25/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/25/stories/2006072509290100.htm

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Janardhan Reddy files complaint against Kumaraswamy, two others

Staff Correspondent

It was filed under Section 200 of the Cr. PC in the JMFC court in Bellary

Reddy says he stands by his charges

The MLC says only a CBI probe will unravel the truth

G. Janardhan Reddy

BELLARY: G. Janardhan Reddy, BJP MLC, on Monday filed a private complaint for defamation against Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Home Minister M.P. Prakash and Minister for Forests C. Chennigappa for their alleged remarks against him after he made the Rs.150-crore bribery charge against them.

Mr. Reddy, accompanied by his followers, filed the private complaint in the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (Junior Division) under Section 200 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr. PC) around 4.30 p.m. Venkateshulu, advocate for Mr. Reddy, said the case would be called on Tuesday.

Mr. Reddy had caused a flutter in the State when he levelled the bribery charge against the Chief Minister and some of his Cabinet colleagues.

He had charged that the Chief Minister, his family members and Mr. Chennigappa had taken bribe to the tune of Rs. 150 crore from mine owners in Bellary district. In turn, the Chief Minister, Mr. Prakash and Mr. Chennigappa had reportedly remarked that Mr. Reddy had lost his mental balance.

Suspension

Hurt by the statements, Mr. Reddy filed a defamation case against the Chief Minister and others. Annoyed by his outbursts in the Legislative Council, the BJP leadership suspended Mr. Reddy, who was also the president of the district unit of the party.

Reiterates charge

Talking to presspersons after coming out of the court premises, Mr. Reddy reiterated the charge he had made.

"I have spoken the truth and I stand by it," he said and added that an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation would bring out the truth.

To a question, the MLC said he had spoken the truth and expressed his confidence that his party leaders would realise it and withdraw the order of suspension against him.