Alok grilled for 10 hrs, BJP seeks CBI inquiry

BENGALURU: BJP leader and Union minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the lottery racket, alleging "some ministers are involved in it". The demand came even as the Congress government sought to downplay official collusion in the scandal. "Contrary to media speculation that 30 or 40 police officers are involved, the CID report speaks of only one senior IPS officer - Alok Kumar, who was the additional commissioner (West) in Bengaluru city," Karnataka home minister KJ George told TOI over phone from New Delhi. Alok, who was on Saturday suspended by the state government, was grilled for 10 hours by the CID. The officer maintained he was in contact with the lottery mafia kingpin, Pari Rajan, 54, but never knew of his involvement in the racket. George said only the final report of the CID would be able to indict whoever is involved. "Since Alok was holding an important position, we believed it was not correct to have him in that position till the inquiry is concluded. Hence, the CM kept him under suspension," he added. But sources privy to the CID investigation said at least four serving IPS officers had links with Rajan. Two of them, Alok Kumar and Dharanesh, SP, lottery squad, have been suspended. "The other two officers - one of the rank of ADGP, and another of IGP - received calls from the kingpin. They never made calls to him," the sources said, explaining why the government appears to have given them the benefit of doubt. Asked whether any politician is involved, George said: "Our stand is we'll take action against anyone who is involved - be it an officer or a politician." Sadananda Gowda said the issue required a much wider probe by the CBI. -TOI