No need to handover Dharmasthala probe to NIA: Parameshwara

Ruling out an NIA probe in the Dharmasthala case, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is doing its job. Amid reports about the Enforcement Directorate being likely to probe into alleged funding from some NGOs for a "conspiracy" against Dharmasthala, he said they are free to conduct their investigation. "I have already said several times that there is no need to hand over the probe to the NIA. We have constituted the SIT and it is doing its job. So there is no need to give the case to another agency. The chief minister has also said the same thing," Parameshwara said.

Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate has initiated a preliminary investigation into the allegations of dubious foreign funding used to fuel communal conspiracies during the ongoing Dharmasthala row in Karnataka, official sources said on Tuesday. The sources told PTI that the agency is gathering facts and documents related to all entities and stakeholders, including some NGOs, who are alleged to have used suspect funds to stoke controversy. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a preliminary investigation under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), and further action will be taken if the probe finds proof of foreign funding rule violation and illicit use of funds, the sources said.

(State Correspondent)