The CBI  raids this morning in an alleged corruption case against Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar in Karnataka, Mumbai and Delhi triggered a political debate. The opposition Congress termed  today’s raids – being carried out at 14 locations  as an “attempt to derail our preparation for bypolls” in Karnataka.

The alleged corruption case was registered by the CBI based on the inputs shared by the Enforcement Directorate over a money laundering probe. “CBI has registered a case against then Minister of Karnataka Government and others on the allegations of acquisition of disproportionate assets. Searches are being conducted today at 14 locations including nine in Karnataka, four in Delhi, and one in Mumbai,” the probe agency said this morning in a statement.

Last year, the 58-year-old Karnataka Congress chief was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate after four days of questioning over money-laundering allegations.

The September 2019 arrest involved tax raids on Mr Shivakumar in 2017, when ₹ 8.6 crore in “undisclosed income” was allegedly found from his Delhi residence. The figure was revised to ₹ 11 crore later.  The Enforcement Directorate had filed a money laundering case against Mr Shivakumar in 2018, based on a chargesheet filed by the Income Tax department.

The raids which continued for better part of the day saw several angry reactions from the Congress party leaders.  Coming a few weeks ahead of the by polls to Rajarajeshwari nagar assembly constituency which comes under the Parliamentary constituency of D K Suresh , MP and brother of D K Shivakumar.