Probe Without Punishment!

 

When the Justice HN Nagamohan Das Commission was first set up, I believed it was a much-needed step towards accountability. After all, the '40 per cent commission' allegations against the previous BJP administration were serious, and the Karnataka State Contractors’ Association had openly accused the government of large-scale corruption.  

But as I watch this investigation unfold, I can’t help but wonder: Is this about justice, or just politics?

The commission was originally given three months to complete its probe—enough time to determine whether the allegations had merit. But what followed was a series of extensions, each pushing the inquiry further. Finally, after multiple delays, the commission finally submitted its findings to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. However, much like several other probes ordered by the Congress government, no concrete action has followed.

Take, for instance, the investigation into alleged irregularities in the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project, which was announced with much fanfare. Despite claims of mismanagement under the BJP regime, no decisive action has been taken. Similarly, the probe into the PSI recruitment scam, a case that rocked the state due to allegations of large-scale bribery in police appointments, remains stuck in limbo. While the Congress government was quick to order inquiries into both these matters, media reports suggest that little has been done beyond public posturing.

Then there’s the investigation into the land de-notification cases linked to the previous government. While initial reports indicated wrongdoing, these cases seem to have lost traction, raising questions about the seriousness of these inquiries. The same can be said for the alleged financial mismanagement in the Bengaluru Smart City project—another probe that has seen little movement since being ordered by the current administration.

It doesn’t take a political expert to see what’s unfolding. Congress is keeping this issue alive for a reason — to keep the BJP on the defensive. Just like in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, where corruption was their trump card, they’re once again using it as a political weapon.

The real question is: Will this report lead to meaningful action, or will it simply serve its political purpose before fading into obscurity?

If the Congress government is truly committed to exposing corruption, why stop at just the BJP’s tenure? Corruption in Karnataka didn’t begin in 2019, and it certainly won’t end with this report. Successive governments — Congress and BJP alike — have been accused of misusing power. Yet, this inquiry focuses only on the previous BJP administration.  

This makes it easy for the BJP to hit back, accusing Congress of selective targeting. And let’s be honest — they have a point. If Congress is serious about cleaning up governance, why not investigate its own past governments as well? Why not take action against corruption within its own ranks?  

The '40 per cent commission' scandal was a massive blow to the BJP, just like Operation Lotus helped them flip governments in the past. But in Karnataka, corruption isn’t just a party issue—it’s a systemic problem.

And that’s the real tragedy. While politicians weaponise corruption for electoral gains, the real issues remain untouched. Contractors still have to pay bribes, bureaucrats still manipulate tenders, and political leaders - regardless of party — continue to profit.   

So, what will this commission actually achieve? Right now, it looks more like a strategic political tool than a genuine attempt at reform. If the intent was truly about justice, the focus wouldn’t be on timing extensions to match election cycles.  

I want to believe something meaningful will come from this inquiry. But deep down, I suspect that once the elections are over, this too will become just another forgotten report.