Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while speaking to the media at Suttur Matt religious fair in the city on Thursday, denied accusations of political motive behind handing over the case to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate illegal mining.

Siddaramaiah said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) did not show any interest to continue the investigation because of lack of evidence. The preliminary report has clearly stated the role of Reddy brothers in illegal mining and to ensure that CBI’s failure in investigating the case will not spare the Reddy brothers prosecution in the case. The SIT investigation was opted by the state itself and do not indicate any political gains.

Siddaramaiah also added that the BJP which termed CBI as Chor Bachao Andolan during UPA’s governance is now embracing the investigating agency. He also feels sorry about the fact that the premiere central investigating agency did not follow the authenticity in mining case.