Jarkiholi denies challenging ED, says media misquoted him on searches

Karnataka Minister and Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi has rejected reports suggesting that he threw a challenge at the Enforcement Directorate over its searches at his premises, stating that he was misquoted by sections of the media.

In a video message, the minister said certain newspapers had claimed he dared the agency to prove his overseas investments. He described such reporting as untrue and stressed that he had never uttered those words.

"I have never said that," he said, adding that there was no question of challenging the ED or any other agency. He pointed out that the ED is an investigating body and that posing a challenge to it does not arise.

Jarkiholi said he had instead been extending full cooperation to the probe, providing all documents sought in connection with the matter. He noted that he had addressed three press conferences on the searches and had consistently maintained that records were being handed over to the agency.

He took issue with the way some outlets had framed his remarks, arguing that the coverage conveyed a wrong impression to the public and to the investigating agency. He also cautioned that statements attributed to him in this manner could be turned against him.

Urging the media to report his statements accurately, the minister reiterated that he had not challenged any agency and that his side was only working to furnish the required documents.