RTI activist who highlighted Karnataka chief minister’s role receives life threat

Bangalore: A Mysuru-based RTI activist who exposed alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and the role of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday alleged that he was receiving life threats from land sharks and real estate mafia.

In response to threats from the real estate mafia, the Karnataka police have started patrolling his residence and surrounding areas in Mysuru city.

RTI activist N Gangaraju, who exposed the involvement of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s family in the MUDA case, has written a letter to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) seeking security and deputation of a gunman.

Authorities, while denying his request for a gunman, have set up police patrols around his residence and installed a ‘Smart e-beat’ system at his home.

Gangaraju told IANS on Monday that two to three crucial documents in the MUDA case against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have not yet come out.

“On Sunday, when I was returning from Pandavapura town to Mysuru with my family, the vehicle was ambushed and threatened by strange persons and my family. I have been given their photographs. The threats have continued,” he stated.

“I was the one who had filed a criminal case against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during his first tenure as CM, regarding his direct involvement in a land case.

“Now the matter is in the Supreme Court. At this point, the Supreme Court is asking the petitioners to establish the direct involvement of CM Siddaramaiah in the case and I can establish his role but I am being threatened,” Gangaraju said.

“I was the first to raise the MUDA issue,” Gangaraju said.

The inspector of Kuvempunagar police station in Mysuru said in a written statement to Gangaraju on August 28: “The PSI, ASI, Cheetah Bike Patrol, mobile unit, plainclothes officers, crime branch and intelligence sleuths will patrol the residence and surrounding areas to maintain surveillance.

“The police have also placed a point book at your home where the local police officers must report, both during the day and at night. Officers also have the task of collecting information about the movements of suspicious persons.”

The police have asked Gangaraju to inform them immediately if he or his family members are in any danger.

“He can call 911 or file a complaint with the police. If Gangaraju wants protection from a gunman, he can avail the facility by paying the stipulated fee.”

A delegation of the Congress party had earlier met the Mysuru police chief and filed a complaint demanding Gangaraju’s arrest, alleging that he was spreading propaganda against the chief minister and his family.

Heavy Industries and Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy has accused the Congress government in the state of “intimidating RTI activists who exposed the MUDA scam involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s family.”

Gangaraju is one of the first to expose irregularities related to land in Mysuru, with a special focus on the irregularities related to MUDA.