CBI issues notice to Jaihind channel seeking details of D K Shivakumar's investments

New Delhi: The CBI has issued notice to Congress-run Malayalam news channel 'Jaihind TV' seeking details of the investments made in the channel by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in connection with a probe into a disproportionate assets case against him.

The agency has asked Jaihind Communications Pvt Ltd Managing Director BS Shiju to appear before investigators on January 11 along with requisite documents sought by them, officials said on Sunday.

The notice is issued under Section 91 of the CrPC. The agency has asked the channel management to provide details of investments made by Shivakumar, his wife Usha Shivakumar, son and other family members, dividends paid to them, share transactions, statement of holdings, their ledger accounts and contract notes among others.

The CBI had registered a disproportionate case against Shivakumar in 2020, alleging that between 2013 and 2018 he had amassed assets worth around Rs 74 crore, which are allegedly disproportionate to his income.

Shiju, a Congress leader in Kerala, told DH that they have received the notice and would provide all the documents the agency has requested. He said the company has done all financial and other dealing with transparency.

"We have all the records in our possession. There is no illegality. The case is being reopened though a probe during the BJP government in Karnataka could not find any wrongdoing. This is to harass before Lok Sabha elections. This is political vendetta," he said.

The Jaihind channel was launched in 2007 by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi as a counter to 'Kairali TV', which is run by CPI(M). As parties cannot run channels, party leaders had come together to form a company to launch the channel.