Family stands by Satish Jarkiholi, says brother of PWD Minister of Karnataka after ED raid Balachandra search

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A file photo of Karnataka’s. former CM Siddaramaiah with Satish Jarkiholi and Balachandra Jarkiholi. | Photo Credit: Badiger PK

“The Jarkiholi family is fully behind Satish Jarkiholi in the wake of the ED searching the houses and premises of the PWD Minister,” Balachandra Jarkiholi, BJP MLA and the Minister's younger brother, said in Gokak on September 10.

“When it comes to politics, we may be in different parties and act differently. But when it comes to family matters, all five brothers are one,” he told reporters outside Satish Jarkiholi 's house in Belagavi, in northern Karnataka. Priyanka Jarkiholi, MP of Chikkodi, and the Minister's daughter, also lives there.

“The Minister’s family, including his wife and children are disturbed, due to the raid and the media attention that followed. I have told them to not worry too much about this issue. Such things are common in politics, and we have to face them. I am sure Satish Jarkiholi has all the necessary documents and will co-operate with the ED officials during the inquiry. I have not come here as a BJP leader or an MLA. I have come to express solidarity with the family of my brother,” he said.

Balachandra Jarkiholi alleged that some media outlets were spreading lies about the ED searches.

“Some TV channels are saying the Minister’s sister and children had invested hundreds of crores in business ventures in Africa. That is far from the truth. Rahul Jarkiholi has invested ₹50,000 in two companies, and Priyanka and my sister Mahadevi have invested ₹25,000 each. The business is yet to start operations,” he said.

"Some TV channels are claiming that ED officers have carried two large trunks of cash from the Minister’s house in Gokak. That too is not true. They have taken ₹1.73 crore in one trunk. They have left behind another empty trunk in the house. During a panel discussion on TV, a political leader alleged that former chief minister Siddaramaiah had complained to the ED against Satish Jarkiholi. This is an outrageous lie. The two have been friends for over three decades. They have had several differences over these years, but their relationship remains unchanged. I request the media fraternity not to spread such lies,” Balachandra Jarkiholi said.

Referring to speculation that the search was politically motivated, he said, "I don't think so. I think the ED is acting on some complaint and an earlier search on the houses of our brother-in-law Y. Manjunath, Joint Commissioner of excise. We have information that someone complained to the ED in May this year against Y. Manjunath. ED officers searched his houses and offices in June.

“They must have found some documents that has tipped them off about the overseas investments of the Jarkiholi family. I don't think there is a political angle to it,” he said.

He also felt that there is no basis to assume that the ED is targetting leaders of a particular community. He believes that Satish Jarkiholi will fight the issue legally, and could count on the support of his brothers.

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