BJP is trying to defame Congress by arresting Sampath Raj: DK Shivakumar

Bengaluru: In the wake of the arrest of former mayor and Congress member Sampath Raj alleging, his involvement in the riots that took place in Bengaluru on August 11, KPCC president DK Shivakumar has accused the BJP of trying to defame the Congress party.

Sampath Raj is one of the accused in the DJ Halli and KG Halli riots. He has been said to be evading arrest since October, since he fled from the private hospital where he was undergoing treatment for COVID-19. DK Shivakumar clarified that the law is paramount in this situation. He said to the reporters, "Be it Sampath Raj or DK Shivakumar, everyone has to respect the law. Sampath Raj will respect the law."

Further, he said the claim that congressmen were involved in the riot is a baseless accusation without evidence. He claims that this is a ploy by the BJP to defame the Congress Party. He claimed that he, too, had seen the charge sheet and there was no evidence to imply that congressmen were involved. Shivakumar also denies that he was evading arrest and instead said that he was ill.

Shivakumar stated that such decisions cannot be based on individual opinion. The investigation into the riots is still underway.