The Lokayukta report on illegal mining may be unpalatable for more than one reason for former chief minister and JD(S) chief H.D. Kumaraswamy, as it could dwell on issues such as the allegation that he helped a businessman renew his family’s old mining lease, lying idle for many years, in 2006 and made sure that he, in
turn, entered into an agreement for selling ore with BSK Trading owned by his brother H.D. Balakrishna Gowda.
The mining baron, who later switched loyalties to the Bharatiya Janata Party and won the Assembly elections in 2008, admits that he had business dealings with the Gowda brothers before he was elected to the Assembly, but insists there was nothing illegal about them. There are allegations that that HDK gave a mining licence in violation of the rules for 40 years to Janthakal Enterprises owned by Vindo Goel in Holalkere in Chitradurga district in 2007. Mumbai encounter specialist Daya Nayak allegedly played mediator in the deal.
Janthakal Enterprises is also under the scanner for exporting minerals to Pakistan from the Belekeri port.