Kill mercilessly: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy caught on tape mouthing vengeful killing order

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has come in the line of fire after being caught on tape instructing someone over phone to "mercilessly" avenge the killing of a local leader of his party, the Janata Dal (Secular) - JDS.

Kumaraswamy was briefed about the murder by the intelligence department as soon as he landed in the Vijayapura district. During the call, he reportedly told a senior police officer to shoot down the killers mercilessly.

"I am disappointed with this [murder]. He was a nice man. I don't know who they are but shoot them mercilessly. Such people do such activities. I don't care," he was heard saying.

The Karnataka chief minister later denied issuing any such order. Defending himself, Kumaraswamy said that he was talking as a human being.

I didn't pass the order as a chief minister. It was due to anger I made that comment. The suspects were out on bail just two days back and they are accused in two other murders. Today, they have killed another man, he said.

The shoot out statements by Kumaraswamy, however, did not go down well with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Condemning his statement, BJP leader Shoba Karandlaje tweeted: "CM HDK orders for anarchy and lawlessness by giving direct order of shoot out on camera!! A clear case of provoking and instigating the system.

Earlier, he had called to create anarchy by openly calling for violence. Complete chaos and dictatorship in Karnataka.Highly condemnable act!!" she added.

Courtesy : India Today