Bengaluru: Days after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan for his involvement in the IMA ponzi scam, which left 40,000 investors in the lurch, the BJP yesterday demanded his resignation.
Speaking to reporters, State BJP General Secretary and MP Shobha Karandlaje claimed that the minister was trying to save IMA group managing director Mohammed Mansoor Khan, who was absconding. She further alleged that the SIT set up by the State was an attempt to destroy evidence and records in the case and that fair investigation would not be possible if Khan remained in office.
The minister has been given one week’s time to appear before the ED submit details about the sale of a property to IMA group managing director Mohammed Mansoor Khan, who is now absconding.
Even as the BJP demanded for CBI inquiry, a criminal case for money laundering was filed against the IMA group of companies and Mansoor Khan by the ED.
The ED Friday said it has attached IMA Jewels’ assets, worth Rs 209 crore, in its money laundering probe into the alleged ponzi scam. The central agency said its Bengaluru zonal office has issued a provisional order, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, for attachment of immovable assets worth Rs 197 crore and about Rs 12 crore deposits in bank accounts.
She further condemned chief minister Kumaraswamy’s outburst on a group of workers of Yermarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS) in Raichur district. “When they come to you with issues, you threaten them with lathi charge. What is your intention? You are in government… If you want Modi to govern Karnataka state also, why you are in government, resign and go home,” she was quited saying in PTI.
She also charged the JDS-Congress coalition government was making money through transfers, they are threatening officials, and officials are being transferred based on their casts. “Neither the people nor the God will forgive you,” she said.