The Karnataka Home Department on Monday cleared security cover for noted Kannada superstar and eldest son of Kannada thespian Rajkumar, Shiva Rajkumar, after he received alleged death threats. At an event on Sunday, noted writer BT Lalitha Naik, who is a former Culture Minister and Kannada actor, claimed that she had received death threats along with three others — BJP national general secretary CT Ravi, Shiva Rajkumar, and an owner and editor of a regional news channel.
The writer told reporters she received a letter from someone named Kareem Challakere on March 20, stating that she, Shiva Rajkumar, Ravi and the owner of the TV news channel will be assassinated on May 1. "After this letter was brought to the notice of authorities, I have got security cover," she declared. She also said that the letter did not specifically mention the exact reason behind this threat.
According to reports, the letter said that an individual has received a contract to eliminate Chikkamagaluru MLA CT Ravi and that a team of eight people has already gone there, warning that there would be major unrest in the state. The letter, which drew Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa’s attention, sent shockwaves among Shiva Rajkumar fans as well.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai assured that the case will be investigated thoroughly and that the accused will be arrested.
Reports quoted Bommai as saying that they have learnt of the death threats to prominent people, including a minister. “Lalitha Naik is a former minister, senior writer and respected person in society. The matter has to be regarded very seriously,” Bommai was quoted as saying.
According to a report in The New Indian Express, the letter claimed that some members of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) in Bengaluru, the Mangaluru president of the Indian Islamic Organisation, and some others are involved in the conspiracy.
(With IANS inputs)