Bengaluru, Dec 2 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said the police, after investigation, will determine the next course of action into the claims that Congress leader Belur Gopalakrishna was plotting murder of BJP MLA SR Vishwanath.

He made the comments after meeting Vishwanath who briefed him about the allegation.

Bommai met Vishwanath at the Kempegowda International Airport and assured the MLA of thorough investigation into the matter.


Gopalakrishna has denied the allegations.

"The police have filed a case and are conducting an investigation. They have said that they will conduct preliminary investigation. After they finish the investigation, we will leave it to the police to decide on the next course of action," the CM told reporters at his residence.

"We do not have any role in it. The police are seized of the matter. Therefore, as per the law, the police will decide," he added.

A video, purportedly showing Gopalakrishna discussing ways to eliminate Vishwanath, had gone viral. The Central Crime Branch (CCB), along with Rajanakunte police, have launched a probe into the alleged conspiracy.

Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police Dr K Vamsi Krishna said after taking court's permission, the Rajanakunte police have registered an FIR on charges of criminal conspiracy (120 B of IPC) and criminal intimidation (506 of IPC), against conspirators Belur Gopalakrishna, Kulla Devaraj, who is said to have shot the video, and others.

Further, he said, since it is a high-profile case and politically-connected, Doddaballapur Deputy Superintendent of Police as Investigating Officer.

CCB officials have taken Devaraj into custody and are questioning him.

Earlier in the day, Vishwanath was summoned by Rajanakunte police station for recording his statement which lasted for at least half an hour.

Speaking to media persons later, the BJP MLA said he has furnished the unedited video and the letter written by Devaraj and addressed to the Chief Minister, Home Minister and himself.

Vishwanath said Devraj, in the letter, has expressed apologies for being "a part of the conspiracy" to assassinate him.

"After uncovering the letter, I found the apology letter and a pen drive in it. I immediately handed over the pen drive to my social team, who edited the video available in the pen drive. Wherever Gopalakrishna has mentioned about the plot to kill, I edited those parts. I knew next morning these clippings would go viral," he said.

"I was summoned by the Rajankunte police. I have submitted the pen drive, unedited video and Devaraj's letter to them. In the video clippings Devaraj is divulging the names of 'supari' killers who were hired from Andhra Pradesh. They were lodged at a Yelahanka hotel to execute the plot," he said.

More light into the matter will come out in the open after the police investigates the call details from the mobile phones of the conspirators and 'supari killers', Vishawanth said.

He also said that he is not insisting on Gopalakrishna's arrest, but a high-end investigation into the matter because people should know the reason behind this conspiracy and are there more conspirators.

Speaking to reporters late Wednesday, Gopalakrishna called the video clippings as fake and alleged that it was a conspiracy to implicate him in a false case. "90 per cent of the video is fake. The only truth in it is the conversation on a land dispute. Remaining part of the video is readied (fabricated) by him (Devaraj)," he said.

Gopalakrishna also alleged that Devaraj is the right hand man of Vishwanath and there are many photos where he is seen with him. "Devaraj recently defected and is now a supporter of Vishwanath. The video is edited and this is a conspiracy to tarnish my image," he said.

He also demanded a CBI inquiry into the shooting incident at Congress leader Kadabagere Srinivas, in which Vishwanath's role was suspected. The case as of now remains unsolved.

Countering Gopalakrishna's allegations, Vishwanath said the Congress leader is trying to divert the attention from the matter.

"Gopalakrishna should not try to divert the issue by saying that Devaraj is my right hand man. I have not denied that I do not know Devaraj.
"I have an acquaintance with him. It is true I have several photos with him. But, that cannot make Devaraj as my right hand man. That way, there are so many photos where Gopalakrishna is standing with BJP leaders. That does not mean that he is a right hand man of every BJP leader," he argued.

On the shooting case, Vishwanath said he wants this truth to come out. "My name has been unnecessarily linked to this case. I want the police to investigate it. I want my name to be delinked from this case once and for all," he said.

The supporters of Vishwanath staged a road block at Yelahanka-Rajanukunte circle and burnt the effigy of Gopalakrishna, demanding his arrest.
UNI BDN AKK ING